30th October

30^th October

First dusting of snow in Beskol (the mountains are covered) and it really does mean winter is on its way. I tried on my thermal underwear today, just to check if it still fits! The bottoms are still nice and tight, which either means I haven’t lost all of my leg muscles yet, or that the bottoms just stretch well. The top is certainly looser now.

Gosh darn it I need a better hat. I brought a light weight wool beanie with me, and it does a great job keeping the wind off, but as the temperature keeps falling, I need something better!

I am going to Almaty next week, and will look for a Russian fur hat- When in Rome and all that. Rabbit seems to be the most ethical choice (although bear or wolf would be bad-ass), and its also cheaper, so I will keep my eyes peeled. It will go great with my tracksuit.

I managed to teach why Nigger is a word that white people cannot say to black people today, using English and acting. Not only was I proud that I managed to get my message across, but I was also glad I got the message across. Between gangster movies, and gangster rap, the word has spread around the world, but lacking all of the context that we understand (hopefully) in the west. It is therefore not seen as a bad word here, and is just used to describe a black person. Which of course, without the racist sentiment, renders the word harmless, if any one does ever visit another country, they need to understand! I was talking about it with my host sister, about how many countries and colours have rude, or at least identifying words for other people, and how you have to be careful what you say. Apparently Kazakhs call Russians “Akh kulakh” (white ears), and I explained “Haku-jin” from Japan, and white people calling Asians “Chinks”. I hope the message got across anyway.

There is a particularly boisterous student at school, and given my (self defined) position as the only ‘cool’ teacher at school, I am trying to motivate him, and other like him, into at least paying attention in classes. I have also invited them to the Frisbee practices, and a few are enjoying it. Although they have added a heck of a lot more testosterone, to what was before, a 70% female squad.

I wrestled one of them yesterday, at his behest, and without knowing what I was getting into, I was quickly on the floor with a sprained elbow. It turns out he is the regional champion, and certainly built for wrestling, being about 5ft 6 and weighing as much as me.

Yesterday was a huge Kazakh language event, and I had the privilege of being invited to film it. Well, I was told about it at 9pm the night before (Peter, bring your camera), and then commanded to film it (I have a photo camera with basic filming abilities), and enough memory card space for about 15minutes of film. Well, it went on for 3 hours. I will edit it tomorrow, but I know ill be shouted at. But its hardly my fault. In typical Kazakh style, something that had obviously been in planning for weeks, was only mentioned the night before, and the intended role at it, on the morning off, so I didn’t bring more memory cards, or a flash, or anything. Wish me luck