Just got back from the city. It was calm. My friends and I went out drinking. They told me their stories of last night. One of my student's windows got smashed last night because some people weren't happy that they were filming things on video.
Early this morning I had to drag myself to work after staying up half the night thinking that "marodery" (rioters) were headed in our direction after reading stuff on http://diesel.elcat.kg. Nothing happened. Things were pretty calm here. But, it was a little worrying for a bit. Called work this morning, one of the more responsible faculty member was already at school -- that was my cue that I need to get there as soon as possible.
So... I drove there, picked up our office manager on our way there. Saw some soldiers in their riot gear, and then as I tried to park my car, three soldiers ran over and started creating problems...as if I look or act like Rioter Number One of Bishkek City. They asked me all kinds of questions, asked me for my papers, how I dented my car, etc...I told them that my students were waiting for me and that instead of being positive about people showing up at work and trying to be normal about things, these people wanted to enforce their masculinity because a Girl was driving a car to work. That seems to piss the police off a lot. For a while they stopped me three times on my way to work and three times on my way home. I try to belive that we are friends at this point.
There were surprisingly a lot of students who showed up to the first class. Then a couple of us went to have lunch at Pitt Stop and it seemed like nothing had happened the night before, even though I spent most of the night on the phone talking to my parents, friends, and students. I only had 1 student for my second class, so I cancelled it. Went home and picked up some shashlik at cafe 11(Odzinatsotaye) in the evening. There were so many people. It sure looked like they were
having fun. I wonder what it is that makes people pretend nothing happened last night.It even
feels shameful to admit that I was scared.
Later, I went out to meet some friends at Cafe Parnas on Belinka Street.
People were really partying, telling each other stories of last night, repeating words spoken by
opposition leaders as if they were movie lines. Most people do not believe that these crazy things are over. No one seems to know what to expect. But, people are hopeful, going about their business as best as they can. I am so confused by local politics that I have given up trying to analyze these things...
Tomorrow I have to go to the American Studies Symposium at MUK (International University in Kyrgyzstan). I am not presenting anything, but my students are. Then there's the "Latin Party at Metro Pub;" will try to enjoy that too...since most of my co-workers and students will be attending.
I keep reading about the Virginia Tech shooting. It's sad that the fact that the shooter was Korean is being stressed so much in the media. This shooting is tragic.
love you all,
s
Early this morning I had to drag myself to work after staying up half the night thinking that "marodery" (rioters) were headed in our direction after reading stuff on http://diesel.elcat.kg. Nothing happened. Things were pretty calm here. But, it was a little worrying for a bit. Called work this morning, one of the more responsible faculty member was already at school -- that was my cue that I need to get there as soon as possible.
So... I drove there, picked up our office manager on our way there. Saw some soldiers in their riot gear, and then as I tried to park my car, three soldiers ran over and started creating problems...as if I look or act like Rioter Number One of Bishkek City. They asked me all kinds of questions, asked me for my papers, how I dented my car, etc...I told them that my students were waiting for me and that instead of being positive about people showing up at work and trying to be normal about things, these people wanted to enforce their masculinity because a Girl was driving a car to work. That seems to piss the police off a lot. For a while they stopped me three times on my way to work and three times on my way home. I try to belive that we are friends at this point.
There were surprisingly a lot of students who showed up to the first class. Then a couple of us went to have lunch at Pitt Stop and it seemed like nothing had happened the night before, even though I spent most of the night on the phone talking to my parents, friends, and students. I only had 1 student for my second class, so I cancelled it. Went home and picked up some shashlik at cafe 11(Odzinatsotaye) in the evening. There were so many people. It sure looked like they were
having fun. I wonder what it is that makes people pretend nothing happened last night.It even
feels shameful to admit that I was scared.
Later, I went out to meet some friends at Cafe Parnas on Belinka Street.
People were really partying, telling each other stories of last night, repeating words spoken by
opposition leaders as if they were movie lines. Most people do not believe that these crazy things are over. No one seems to know what to expect. But, people are hopeful, going about their business as best as they can. I am so confused by local politics that I have given up trying to analyze these things...
Tomorrow I have to go to the American Studies Symposium at MUK (International University in Kyrgyzstan). I am not presenting anything, but my students are. Then there's the "Latin Party at Metro Pub;" will try to enjoy that too...since most of my co-workers and students will be attending.
I keep reading about the Virginia Tech shooting. It's sad that the fact that the shooter was Korean is being stressed so much in the media. This shooting is tragic.
love you all,
s
posted by Shirin @ 2:32 PM
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