Now what?

Ok. You all know that I'm back from Kyrgyzstan after deciding that Peace Corps wasn't for me. Now I am back in California and desperately trying to figure out what to do next. I'm looking at TEFL certification and have applied for jobs in Japan. I really want to go to Japan. I'm not sure why I've chosen Japan but I guess I'll find out when I get there. I'll post whenever something interesting happens, which, unfortunately, is less frequent here than in Kyrgyzstan. Talk to you later.

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?!

Nothing like a little coup to make your spring break interesting...

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This is the first real chance I've had to get on the internet and post about what has been going on here. And what has been going on here? I don't really know. You probably know more than I do since I have been locked in my apartment for a week with five other volunteers. We got secondhand news from PC and our families, and heard constantly changing reports from BBC radio. I haven't had a chance to read any news but from what PC is saying, Bishkek is calm and they expect no more problems. They told us yesterday that everyone can return to their sites, no longer needing us consolidated in case of evacuation. Consolidation was tough and very stressful since we didn't know if we would be staying or leaving, none of us really knowing how to feel. We made it through, though, withoutout killing each other (at least not in my warden group). All PCV's are fine as far as I know, and we're just waiting to see how this new government pans out.

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Now. Again I haven't read any news so these comments might prove moot. Problems that I foresee deal with Russia, other central asian nations, legitimacy, and conflicts within the new government itself. Russia I guess has a Monroe Doctorine kinda thing with regards to Kstan and could step in if things become escalated again. I don't think that will happen. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other CA nations could follow suit and mount their own coups since these nations all share common problems with regard to poverty, lack of jobs, and government corruption. We have to wait and see. As far as the new government is concerned, they are reportedly getting things under control and a representative council from the EU (I think is what I heard) is comming in to evaluate the situation. The next few weeks will show how popular the new government is and if it can stick to the changes that the protestors initially demanded. Also problematic is the Security Minister and the acting President. They are both from different areas of the country and have different outlooks on how to organize the new parliment. Clashes could arise over disputes as to who is the ligitamate governing body: the former parliment or the newly elected and highly contested one. All of these are things that will play out in the next few weeks and I'll be here to see it. I'll keep you posted.

I Live There!

  "Opposition-led protests over the election results spread on March 16. Protesters occupied government buildings in the Kochkor District in eastern Naryn Province and in the Bazarkorgon District of southern Jalal-Abad Province...In the Bazarkorgon incident, a district government official was reportedly being held in the building. Police later broke through a window in the building, freeing the official... "

Eurasianet.com article, 3-16-05

  That's right. Our governor was effectively held hostage by protestors half a mile from my apartment in the government building I walk past everyday on my way to school. The police that rescued the official were actually special forces militia, who have begun patroling the streets wearing their trademark army fatigues and bullet-proof vests. SHIT IS HITTING THE FAN HERE! Not content to only protest in Jalalabat, 50-100 protestors have moved to my village to speak out against Askar Akaev. They are peaceful (but really should stop singing, its annoying) and no serious incidents have occured (aside from the semi-kidnapping thing). I have heard stories of protestors being injured in Osh, a two hour drive from my site. I really have to start questioning Peace Corps policy if they think we are safer spread around the country instead of being consolodated together in the capital...

  So with everything going on, rumors are flying. The possibility of being evacuated from the country has been tossed around. With protests now and presidential and parlimentary elections scheduled for October, the chances of us being yanked out of here isn't too farfetched. We'll see... Now I have to head back to the bazaar to catch a taxi. It's just a ten minute walk but the militia members in full riot gear that I have to stroll past are becoming a bit disconcerting.

Unrest

Well things pretty much suck here in Kyrgyzstan. Because of political unrest all over the country, our in service training (IST) has been postponed for a week and all travel during the next ten days (aka our spring break) has been canceled. We have been ordered to stay in site until the 28th, when, supposedly, things will have quieted down and we will be allowed to travel to Bishkek.
We found out yesterday about the postponement and being grounded for ten days. Everyone is pissed, including K11's who have had their vacation plans canceled as well. A friend of mine in Jalalabat was accepted to a program that allows him to travel to Uzbekistan for a week to work with kids who will soon be visiting America as part of a highly competitive scholarship program. This is exactly the kind of work we are here to do and the Peace Corps has sent volunteers to help since 1994. His trip has been canceled.
Another friend is now not allowed to fly to Bishkek to visit is father, who was flying in from America to spend a few weeks with his son and see where he has been serving for the past 2 years. The trip has been canceled because Pezce Corps has deemed it too unsafe. His father, more than likely, won't be able to see his son.
As far as I'm concerned...I'm furious that I don't get to see Elise. We planned on spending ten days together during training and had been looking forward to it for a month. We've only seen each other 7 days out of the last 100 and being apart is horrible. We were both crushed by the news. I will get to see her in two weeks (if IST isn't canceled all together) but will only have five days and more than likely won't be allowed to leave the hotel in Bishkek.
From what I've seen in Jalalabat and from what I've heard from the north(check right for a link to the latest Kstan news). None of the volunteers are sure the postponement is neccessary. Roads have been closed and many demonstrations have been held, but from what I have heard there has been no violence. Our new country director might just be overly cautious and he is certainly not endearing himself to the volunteers by effectively canceling our spring vacations. I'm left with ten days alone in my site, something I am frankly dreading. Christmas break was almost unbearable. I was going out of my mind with boredom. And I was allowed to travel during that break...We'll see how this vacation pans out.
Ok, hope everyone is well. I'll keep you informed.