I’m just sitting here in the Moscow Airport, only 8 more hours until my flight leaves to Bishkek~~
The airport in Moscow is quite depressing and (extremely expensive)…$11 for coffee…Mom, thanks for giving me those almonds to take from the house.
It was so nice to see so many relatives and friends. It really prepared for another 15 months in Kyrgyzstan.
However, I am excited to go back to Kyrgyzstan. That is where my work is, that is where local Kyrgyz people are expecting me to return, that is where I promised my time for the 27 months that I will be in the Peace Corps.
When I was home, what really surprised me the most was the wide range of choices we have in America.
In Kyrgyzstan you can have 2 types of tea, Green or Black. There is 2 ways of ordering food, Spicy or Not Spicy. One or two different types of potatoes. 20-30 different majors which one can choose to study at university.
The specialization, the specificity which is so prominent in America is so non-existent in Kyrgyzstan. And the simplicity of not having everything so specialized is actually pleasant.
Who needs 35 different flavors of tea? Who needs 15 different types of ‘spicy?’ Or 17 distinct sorts of potatoes?
How is a master’s degree in ‘International Development focus on Kazakhstani Environmental Policy between the years 1991-1994′ more beneficial than a major in simply ‘International Development?’
When I was in America I constantly thought, ‘how much more specialized can everything become before we see reverse trends leading to things becoming more simple?’
Anyway, it gave me so much energy to spend two weeks in America but I am ready to go back to the land of basics – where things are just a little more simple~~
There are so many choices that it can overwhelm. Isn’t it nice to be able to have those choices though?
It was great having you here for two weeks in the whirlwind festival of family and fun. Now it is quiet but I think I hear you sneezing.
Love/dad
Hi Andrew,
it’s been so long since the stern graduation! good to see you’re doing something that makes the world better and not just out to make a million $. I remember learning in marketing class that people actually don’t really enjoy too much choice, it makes them unhappy and insecure about whether they made the right decisions or not. Good luck in kygyzstan
Glad you had a good time. 15 months to go! You’re an inspiration bro.
Hi Andrew,
Miss you already! You are such an inspiration to us! Glad you’re figuring out the important things in your life. Too many choices can be confusing, but people like choices, ask any Kyrgyz citizen!
Love…M
Hi Handsome…….I am sitting at the Moscow Airport drinking the most expensive cup of coffee I have ever had and noticed a very good looking young man working on his computer.
Truthfully, I am his Grandma and know that he just sent a letter to his Grandpa. We are glad that you got there in good time and hope that the hours that you have to wait to get to Bishkek hurry by . We are sure that your friends will be very happy to see you and hear your reports about the USA.
We loved seeing you and are excited about your plans in June/July and of course, we
too are making plans to see you then. Love and kisses….G G
Agree with most of what you wrote except tea. There are 2 types and many flavours. In KG they probably don’t have so many flavours but they have more varieties. Its really easy to find Kenyan sunrise tea in KG but probably a mission elsewhere. Agree with your message though – when it comes to burgers there is only one:)