Pat in the Kyrgyz Republic: Life is Exciting...

So I’ve had some time to sit down and reflect on the craziness that has been the last 10 or so days of my life here. I can’t go into too many details about what I’ve been through, but I’ll do my best to at least let you know what was going through my head. This has probably been the most stressful challenge of my life.

First of all, I have to say that I’ve been thoroughly impressed with how PC has handled this situation. I hope stability only continues to improve here, but if it doesn’t I have total faith in PC to handle anything that happens in the future and keep us safe. Thank you staff for everything!

And on to my thoughts…

My fellow PC Volunteer Trainers and I had to keep our training of the new K-18s going while we were waiting at a safe place for the country to return to normal. We had very little information about the situation and the thought crossed our minds hour by hour that this could be our last moments in this country. People were stressed, but we all tried to make the best of an interesting situation. The trainees were great through all of it. I think they’re going to be a successful group.

I’ve learned a lot during this training, a lot about giving trainings in general and a lot about myself. I’m not sure how what I’ve learned will manifest itself in my future but I know my time at PST has affected me more than I thought it ever could. Most importantly, the events here have really taught me a lot. It was interesting to be here and living in a place where this happens. Americans are so disconnected from stuff like this. We see it on the news and don’t think twice about it, and if we do it just goes on and on about politics and other issues. The coverage given to events like this around the world is so topical and shortsighted that we don’t gain any understanding of what’s going on. There’s a human cost to all of these things we see on the news and on April 7th I saw it in the faces of my Kyrgyz friends and fellow volunteers.

It really hit me when I finally made it back to my village. I haven’t been able to watch Kyrgyz TV at all in like 3 weeks. As I was sitting and having tea with my host mom, one of the many clips they have been showing which covers the memorial services and events of the 7th of April started to play on the TV. It was unbearable. It was the first time I saw any of the clips of what happened. I tried to hold back the tears but I think all the stress of everything that has happened combined with fatigue and the images I was viewing made it impossible. I cried for those people who lost their lives and for the people of this country. I sat there and felt what I’ve always known to be true. We’re all people – there’s nothing real that divides us. Everything that separates us is artificial and man made. We all want the same things, peace, happiness, freedom…and there are people in this world who for whatever reason are at odds with this.

The compassion I felt is the same compassion I felt on 9/11. It was very close to my heart and I felt sincere sorrow for what happened. My host Mom shed a few tears as well and when I regained my composure I looked at her and told her that those people we were seeing mustn’t be forgotten and that I have hope for this country to rebuild their government and improve their lives. This place and its people, despite the problems that exist here, have really become a part of me. I think my heart will always be in two places from now on. And I mean that in ways I don’t have the words to articulate.

As for pictures for this post I've got some good ones. I went for a hike with my buddy Jonathan and managed to take a few. I was meaning to post this and the pictures a few days ago but I've been having trouble with the blogger website not loading. I always brag about living in the most beautiful village in Kyrgyzstan and I think these photos will prove it to all you doubters! It's good to be back after being gone almost a month!!

Hope you guys are doing well! And time for the pics!