Hervé left us on a Wednesday evening as I was leaving Thursday to go Черноярка (Chernayarka), which is that “house of rest” or better translated, “resort.” I put the quotes around resort not only because it’s a translation, but also because it isn’t exactly what we’d picture as a resort. At Chernayarka, there are some large cabin type buildings and grills, and 4 wheelers you can rent. It’s quite difficult to describe what is a “house of rest” because, well, because it is. Ask mom and dad, they were at one when they visited.
Quick! What’s the best way to clean 20 pounds of tomatoes, 11 pounds of eggplant, 5 pounds of carrots, and 11 pounds of green peppers? My bathtub, of course. Nina, a gift of God, took me to a store that sold produce for an amazing price. For all of the above listed items, I paid 1200 tenge ($10 dollars). That’s an amazing price here and I know you guys at home are even more jealous. I’m going to be canning and freezing for a while today :-) Good thing Saule is coming back into town tonight – I’ll make her help me cut and boil vegetables. Winter’s a coming (predicted frost tonight), and it’s time to get my stocks of veggies ready to go.
One of my English club goers invited me over to his apartment to help him download a skin for his windows media player and I knew that meant one thing: his mom was going to cook for me. I showed up, helped him out, and what do you know, she cooked a vegetarian casserole for me! That was really nice, it was really tasty, and I really appreciated it. :-) Then she proceeded with the usual trying to stuff my (metaphorical) pockets with food as I left. I turned down several things politely, but couldn’t get away without some fresh basil and hot chili peppers.
Another week, another set of fun and challenges. Saule got a job! She’ll be working as an interpreter at a local factory, which is great news. I’ve also secured a spot for her son, Dilshat (please, stop laughing...), at our Center’s kindergarten group, so that’s another worry taken care of. Smile, life’s good.
Hervé on his way out, heading to Almaty.
The guys (and female Methodologist) with whom I work, grilling meat.
Our kids with their parents eating dinner at Chernayarka.
Playing billiards!
The carrots sunk to the bottom...
Let us Produce (thanks for the correction, jon) - anybody remember that produce company? They operate in Virginia. Clever name. I've got no lettuce, but I do have produce.
3 comments:
Your tub looks like a giant vat of sewer waste. Congratulations on the find. And, for the record, I think it was called "Let Us Produce", but had a picture of lettuce on the truck. Boom goes the dynamite!
good thoughts Jeff. You are right about change, I just stink at adapting to it. Maybe too much change when I was a child, I don't know...what is your address?
The last picture looks like you're taking a bath with the veggies. haha
-Chau
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