Q&A Bloggy

Alright. This is my "I'm going to answer your questions" blog. If you have anymore questions feel free to comment and ask. For now, these are the questions that need answering.

Q: What did you think of the Mosque? What was it like?
A: I'll put a picture up as soon as I post this blog. It was really plain and boring actually. There is nothing on the walls because the only purpose the Mosque serves is giving the people a place to pray. They think that if they put anything on the walls that it will distract from the spiritual experience. Because of that, it was a very boring place. There were hundreds of carpets down for people to kneel on and stuff. Also, the wood detailing on the outside of the building was amazingly intricate. I liked it.

Q: What strengths do you see in the Tajik culture?
A: Tajik's are very family oriented. I think that is really cool! Also, I love their food. That's definatly a bonus. Tajik's are also pretty big on respect me thinks. There are many ways of showing respect to elders and I can't name them all, but in general what the elders say goes. I think it's good that they are so family oriented though. That's the best part.

Q: What things about Tajik culture do you think need to change?
A: The biggest thing is that the girls are not taken seriously at all. They are not respected and have no say in anything. Girls are expected to be married by the time they are 18, and most times they don't have a choice. I think that is something that needs to change. Also, the girls have to wear long dresses because showing off your legs I think is a no no. I met an old lady on the street a few days ago and she said that I am very beautiful, but I need to wear longer pants haha.

Q: What are your fellow US students like? Where are they from?
A: Patrick is from Maryland and he is 17. Silviano is 18 and he is from California. I think that they are good guys. I just need more patience. They like to joke around a lot and they love inside jokes. So that's what they're like haha.

Q: What foods do you like best so far?
A: I LOVE SAMOSAS! It's a triangle shaped pastry like thing filled with beef and onions. And it's baked. I also love Plov. Yesterday i tried some Tajik dessert, but I can't remember what it's called. It was so yummy though! In general, all Tajik food is pretty good.

Q: Do you eat the food with your hands?
A: No, I use a fork, but when you eat Plov you CAN use your hands. Samosas you can either cut it up or pick it up like a burrito.

Q: How do you deal with the heat?
A: I don't really haha. I just sit in the air conditioned house and try not to go outside. When I AM outside though I just stick to the shade and try not to think about how burned I'm going to be when I get back to the house.

Q: Have you gotten to make the bread?
A: No, the bread is always made before we get there. I would like to make the bread, but I'm afraid I'll mess it up haha.

Q: Have you gotten the chance to play any music or sing?
A: In the US Embassy they had a piano and they let me play it. That's the only opportunity I've had, and I definatly haven't sung. No way haha. There aren't very many instruments here besides the guitar, but I'll work on it.

Q: When are you coming back?
A: I fly out of Dushambe on the 31st of July, so I only have about 2 more weeks. I will get to Seattle at 10:45 on the same day. I think. It might be the 1st . . .

Q: Could you describe the bathrooms in length?
A: Well at Garth's house we have a regular toilet, but in public and in many of the Tajik homes, their bathrooms and only be described as a hole in the ground basically. It's always a good cultural experience when you have to go to the bathroom. Ewwwww.

Q: Can you drink the tap water?
A: No No No. That would be a very bad idea. If you want water you have to go to the store and buy bottled water, and even then I think it sorta tastes funny. We all think that Patrick got sick because he drank the tap water, but I think he's in denile.

Q: Do you have electricity?
A: Yep. At Garth's house we do have electricity and most all of the Tajik homes also have electricity. Garth told me that in the winter time hardly anyone have power, but in the other seasons it's not really an issue.

Ok, so those are the answers to most of the questions that people have asked in comments. If you have anymore questions feel free to inquire.

So Silviano and Patrick and I are going out to dinner at 7, so I guess my goal of not leaving the house at all today didn't really work out, but that's ok. I'm hungry haha. Bye Bye For Now!

-- <3 austi