Surreal scenery and sparkling spectacles

Our first summer camp at lake “Jesabai” was a… success, I suppose. We weren’t really measuring by anything other than perhaps the kids having some fun, so I guess that’s all that matters. Good thing too – I started the camp by daily recording what happened, but reread and realized how negative it all sounded. Perhaps memories of the last summer camp I worked at in Germany and the poor planning, déjà vu feeling rejuvenated that same disdain for poorly planned summer camp stuff… I decided to delete my notes on the third day, not wanting to remember every small detail, choosing instead the overall feel of the camp. Like that summer camp in Germany, I want to forget the small and daily problems.

I planned a bunch of activities for the kids and explained them as best as I could to the instructor. The disabled children sometimes have trouble understanding me, which is no fault of their own; I just simply can’t explain things in a way they’d understand. I think they enjoyed them, I tried to think of games that would require use of their bodies and I focused on tactile and motor skills specifically as most of our kids have some form of cerebral palsy and fine muscle movements can be more difficult.

The nature here is simply awesome. When the entourage comes in July, Bayanaul and more specifically, lake “Jesabai” are a must. If I can round up some tents and sleeping bags, maybe we’ll even sleep up in the mountains. But don’t get your hopes up: three weeks definitely isn’t enough time to accomplish much here in Kazakhstan.

Saule was able to come out on the last evening of camp. We hiked up to a spot I had visited earlier in the week and though it was cloudy, it was still so beautiful to be up there. We headed back and took part in the closing ceremony and the next day we went back to Bayanaul while the rest returned to Pavlodar. Tuesday evening, we met with Saule’s friends, Rauan and Aliya, and had a nice time together chatting over a couple beers. Rauan is a clever man and he is one of the few (Saule the other) locals who understand my jokes.

Andrew and Nick at the train station.


John Sasser, our new country director, and me


Lunch time


Me with Roma and Samat with Vitya.


Nina Gregorina, one of our teacher/specialists, with "Madiya," the cutest boy ever.


Anja and me in the mountains above the lake.


Gorgeous, isn't it?


me and Max.


Sonja and Murat playing one of the games.


Dance time!


:-)


Me having tea inside a "yurt."


The very decorative interior of a yurt.


What to say? cool background


A guest medical specialist doing a presentation on anti-smoking.


Playing another game.


Crazy looking rock, eh?


I taught a lesson on knot tying. Clove hitch in russian is "выбленочный узел." I think I'll take the shorter and infinitely easier English.


:-)


Saule and I at the café.