So, we've invented a word that often summerizes our lives here. The word is CAWA (pronounced kah wah). It stands for "central asia wins again". It's part of the "embrace the chaos" theory that is the only way to survive and thrive in this country sometimes.
This week is PDM (project design and managment), a PC training in Bishkek. It's the last time our whole group will be together until COS (close of service) conference in May 2010. Or, that is, it's supposed to be a group thing. Yesterday was the travel day to get to Bishkek, so Sarah, Ariel and I left Sarah's house at 7 AM to drive to Bishkek. The Jalalabad airport only flys on Wednesday and Sunday, so to fly, we would have had to drive to Osh and take a flight from there. In all, it would have taken longer and cost a lot more to fly than it would have to drive, and the drive is beautiful. It's supposed to be a great way to see the mountains. Sarah did the drive to and back within the last month, and said it was great.
We had driven over half-way there, admiring the mountains, the gorgeous teal water of the Naryn river, and just the spectacular scenery, when we stopped at a random stop thingy about 150 kilometers from Bishkek. We sat there for about an hour, when our driver finally told us that there had been an avalanche (in which seven people had died) so we wouldn't be able to get through for 3-5 days. We talked with the police there, some Peace Corps people, and the driver, until we finally decided that our only option was to turn around and drive all the way to Osh. We were speeding down the windy mountian roads, coming in and out of cell phone reception, obviously, trying to organize our flight. Bryan, another volunteer, was in Osh trying to find flights for all of us (there were 8 volunteers and 5 counterparts all driving at the same time). Somehow, all of the flights were full until Thursday, so we finally realized that we are literally stuck in the South. After finishing rewatching the fourth season of LOST, I have strong theories that we're not meant to leave the South. There are strong forces at work here.
So now, I'm back in Jalalabad, about to head to Osh. On Thursday, the people who are wardens are flying out for warden training, and I'll head back home. We're not sure what's really going to happen, but PC claims they're going to probably have a mini PDM down here for the 8 of us and our counterparts to take part in since we need the training.
Now we have an unexpectedly free week, so we're going to discuss grants and projects in Osh, in an attempt to put on our own PDM without Peace Corps's help. CAWA is all I can say. Just CAWA.