18th September

18th September

“Empires do not suffer emptiness of purpose at the time of their creation. It is when they have become established that aims are lost and replaced by vague rituals” Dune

Sorry about all these quotes from Dune, but there are many passages in it that I like. Some of them borrow from existing philosophy or religions, but none the less, I still find that they are poignant today. Which is remarkable seeing as Dune is a science-fiction book written in the 1960’s. Today’s quote is in relation to the Soviet era bureaucracy that still saturates Kazakhstan. Everything requires a stamp from a superior before it can be implemented or used.

I went fishing today with some of my pupils, and it was a very interesting experience. Something that struck me while I was standing next to the pond was how forward and friendly the kids had been to invite me. I am after all, a teacher at school, and at least 10 years older than them. They don’t ask the other teachers to go fishing, so it was a unique invitation (I doubt I would have invited a new teacher to go cycling with me when I was in school). And this is why I accepted I think, as it’s certainly not from a liking of fishing. Winston Churchill once called golf the best way to ruin a walk, and I would have to call fishing “the best way to ruin an afternoon of reading”. Standing or sitting around, waiting to see IF you catch a fish, and then more often than not, it being too small to be of use, just isn’t my idea of fun.

But that wasn’t the point of today. It was a chance to socialise with some of my students, and this was the first time ive been in a totally Russian environment, which presented some new challenges, namely, not being able to speak to anyone who didn’t speak English. Despite them having taken Kazakh classes for longer than I have, my spoken Kazakh is better than most Russians (which isn’t saying much).

I also ate the first pork since ive been here, some of that pork fat I have mentioned in the past. It was salty and surprisingly tasty, but just a small mouthful is enough I assure you.

I am running out of patience with living in a host family situation, and will start looking for a place I can move into by myself. So many small factors that have mounted up and just annoy me and moving out would solve them. I was just served my 2nd breakfast (its only 11am), its beshbarmak for lunch in an hour and I know I will be told off again for coming home at 7.30pm from football and having missed dinner.

Its little things like this that I am unused to, having lived by myself for a large part of the last 3 years, plus university. And I appreciate some of problems stem from my actions and inability to adapt to family life. But for the time being, at least till I am better able to express myself in Kazakh, it would be easier to live by myself. So ill start spreading the word!