Naturally Free Ventures: Only 2 1/2 weeks and I feel like I am losing time

02/19

So I have been really busy lately with school and peer tutors and homework so I haven’t had time to post another entry. This weekend is a long weekend because Monday we are off because of President’s day. So in the past week I have gone to a few museums, I haven’t really gone out to the bazaar because it likes to rain on weekends and that definitely not the time to go to an outdoor bazaar. Last night was Nona’s, another student, birthday so we all got together and went out to eat at a nice Chinese restaurant and afterwards we went bowling which was really fun. I don’t have any pictures from last night because I wasn’t the photographer for the night. On our day off on Monday me and a few other students plan to see an old fort outside of the city hopefully the weather is nice. I looked into taking some dancing classes here, not sure if I will go through with it yet. For the price and time commitment I think I could do a lot of other cool things. But I’m going to ask around with some of the other students to see what activities are worth doing. I met with my peer tutors this past week, Nargis and Saeed both are really nice but it’s always hard coordinating time between them because of the difference in our schedules. I originally had Fatemeh as my Persian tutor but she cancelled on me and I realized she doesn’t really have time and she lived far away from me so it was hard to get to her place. A couple nights ago my family prepared Tajikistan’s national dish of aash or osh in their pronunciation. It was an experience very greasy and we ate it with our hands. It is basically rice carrots and meat with a crap load of grease. My host mother let me watch her prepare it. I also have won over the little girl… after she watched me try on Tajiki style dresses with Bashira she had fun and warmed up to me. I have pics of that too. I visited the Botanical Garden here; it was huge and pretty and had a nice view of the mountains. I will most definitely be going back when everything starts blooming. The most surprising thing about this country is that the most interesting things are hidden. Like the music museum we went to. It didn’t look like anything more than a rundown house but inside were the coolest instruments and so really cool musicians and the same went for the art museum. I want to go back to the art museum and buy a picture but I am worried about taking it on the plane with me. After this weekend every weekend for the next month and excursion is planned so I am really excited for it. I also helped my host mom and Bashira make home made bread. They always make their own bread unless the weather is bad then they buy home made bread off someone else. But their bread is best. It was hard making it but fun. They said told me there is no one I'm finding a husband without knowing how to make good bread. But it doesn't matter since I never really finish my portions during meals my husband will go bald according to them. I told them in america we just buy hair. It snowed again here. it was so beautiful so Bashira and Ma'sud went on a walk through the street and took photos. The snow started as rain b/c it wasn't cold enough then the temp dropped and these huge fluffy snowflakes started coming down all afternoon and into the night. I love the way the snow coats the trees. But I am ready to see some of the pretty greens that this part of the world is known for. I have more pictures to post with this entry but I'm tired of waiting for them to upload. I also have a video of music and dancing from the museum but unless i can find a faster way to upload it then its not going up. Right now it says it will take 243 minutes.

Stay Tuned.....

Shaharazad