In a few words

6 Nov

Things I will miss in Kazakhstan

My host-mom Tanya and counterpart Valentina

Fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables that are relatively cheap and free of chemicals

Decent public transportation

An abundance of free time

My small front-loading washer

Good cheap wine from Kazakhstan, and especially Georgia and Moldova

My beloved Sean, who is staying for a third year to work with an amazing organization addressing drug and alcohol abuse amongst at-risk youth.

Things I am happy to be leaving behind

Winters of southern Siberia

Communal heating and hot water systems

Flimsy, plastic toilet seats

Throwing toilet paper in the trash can, and then having to cart it out to the dumpster

Meeting drunk people on the street while walking to work in the morning

Things I am most looking forward to in the U.S.

My ultra soft, queen size pillow-top mattress and feather pillows

Family and friends

My cats, especially Lily, and my parents’ dog Jesse

Reclaiming my misplaced sense of humor

Grilled hamburgers, barbecue sauce, ice cream with goodies in it (Oreos, chocolate chip cookie dough, etc.), Mexican food, baked goods of all kinds, maple syrup

Frost-free refrigerators

Running without being stared at by every single person

Remembering how to speak and write English

Things I am dreading about the U.S.

Commercialization of the holidays

 

Solo Travel

6 Nov – This evening I leave Kazakhstan flying through Kuala Lumpur on my way to Australia where I will spend twelve days. Then I travel to New Zealand for a duration of 15 days before landing once again on American soil on Dec. 4.

Aside from all of my mixed feelings about leaving Kazakhstan, I am also anxious about traveling solo for the very first time. I have had companions on all of my previous visits to other countries. I experienced Spain with fellow high school classmates. I was always with a friend on my trips to Mexico. I experienced the wonders of Thailand with a former boyfriend. My best friend and her husband accompanied me for two weeks as we enjoyed the delights of Turkey. I braved the chaos of India and completed the Buddhist pilgrimage with my boyfriend Sean.

This time I will be on my own. I am not too adept at engaging in small talk. I get nervous when near lots of people that I do not know. Because of of these things I am not sure how I will fare on this trip.

Yet the travel bug has hit me again. How can I possibly return to the U.S. without some more new experiences along the way? It feel that it makes no sense to fly directly home. I am already on the opposite side of the world with so many wonderful countries between here and there just waiting to be explored.  This will either be one of the best experiences of my life, starting a new trend for myself, or it will be a great learning experience and my only time to travel alone.

 

Final thoughts as a Peace Corps Volunteer

5 Nov – In some respects this experience has been so much more than I ever imagined.

I can survive the coldest of temperatures. Be comfortable without air conditioning. Cook a meal for guests with only one burner. Appreciate running water and a hot shower. Live for multiple days with only cold water. Relish fresh, clean air. Survive 10-hour bus rides on pot hole-laden roads without shocks.

I have gained a new level of patience. Learned to communicate my thoughts and feelings more openly. Learned to trust others a little more readily.

I now appreciate a high quality vodka. I look forward to long train rides across the country.

I have slowly come to realize that my decision to leave after the initial two years was the correct one. Still, it was by far one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.

Those are my thoughts for now. In the coming weeks and months and years I look forward to gaining more clarity of this experience.