What a long few days! We arrived at Hotel Dostyk in Almaty at 2:00 a.m. Monday morning; this was after leaving Charlottesville at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. It was very easy for me to unpack in the hotel . . . because my luggage did not arrive on the plane. Looking on the bright side--this gave me a chance to put my Russian language to use immediately (I am glad that "are you able to help me?" was one of the phrases I learned; I have used it several times already.) Fortunately, I had a premonition that this would happen, so I packed everything I needed for a couple days in my carry-on bag. So it has not been a big problem so far--but I do hope that it will arrive tomorrowon the next flight from Frankfurt!
One member of our group, Kristi (a high school teacher from Missouri), has had a much more difficult time. Her visa had the wrong date on it--despite the fact that she had submitted her paperwork correctly--and the border guards did not let her into the country. The rest of us (there are ten teachers in our group total, along with one exchange coordinator) were dumbfounded but could not do anything to help. She had to take the plane back to Germany, where she is currently working with the American consulate and the Kazakh embassy to try to get the problem fixed and come back as soon as possible.
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| Professor Mendikulova |
That episode colored our initial arrival, but today has been much better. I have learned much about the history of the Kazakh people and the country of Kazakhstan through a lecture with historian Dr. Gulnara Mendikulova in the morning and through a tour of the city with a very knowledgeable guide in the afternoon. I could go on and on about this country's captivating history but I will spare you, dear readers. One thing has really become clear to me today: the control of a nation's historical narrative is a very, very powerful tool. It is clear that the Soviets used this control to facilitate subjegation of many groups, including the Kazakhs. Since 1991, on the other hand, regaining control of their own history has been helpful as Kazakhstan defines its identity as an independent nation. What a fascinating place!
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Our tour guide was full of stories
about Kazakhstan and his beloved
city of Almaty. |
I hope Kristi makes it back ok. Be sure to bring back some epic pictures! I want to go now.What you ate for breakfast sounds cool! (minus the horse) ):
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that Kristi is on her way here tomorrow!
DeleteI will bring lots of pictures. I will post some on here tonight too, so you can see some of the things I've seen.
Mr.Dent,
ReplyDeleteYour Kazakhstan trip is turning out to be quite eventful and interesting! We were wondering what the time difference is between Virginia and Kazakhstan. We were also curious as to what the students thought of us, if you got to see them already. Could you perhaps blog back on these? Reply soon!
-Min Su & Joy
Mrs.Megginson's LA 2nd Block
You're right; it is very interesting! Today was the most interesting day yet; I got to visit two schools and meet with lots of students and teachers and sit in on some of their classes.
DeleteI have not met with the students whom you wrote for yet. Today we just did visits to a school; we didn't get to teach or to work alongside the teachers. I will do that in the next city I go to--Ust-Kamenogorsk. I will let you know what the students think immediately!
Tell Mrs. Kristi I am sorry for her unfortunate catastrophe. Does Kazakhstan split their schools like we do? For example: Kindergarten to Fifth grade and Sixth grade to eighth grade?
ReplyDeleteThanks--I will tell her when she comes. Fortunately she will be coming tomorrow.
DeleteKazakhstan sets up their schools very differently. They have all grades (1-11) in one school. So, the kids get to know each other very well by 11th grade!!
hello mr.dent, Elly and LAlly here. we have loved your posts and have a very important question.... WHAT DOES SUBJETGATION MEAN?!?!?!?!?!?
ReplyDeleteSubjugation means bringing someone or a group of people under control. What I was describing above is how the Soviets used history to dominate its citizenry.
DeleteFor example, in Soviet times Kazakhs were taught that their ancestors had been nomadic (and basically "uncivilized"), that they had little culture development and no established cities, that they were descendents of Iranians (a sort-of Soviet ally) rather than Turks (Soviet enemies; ancient Turkic peoples are the true ancestors of Kazakhs), and many other things that were either untrue or not accurately portrayed. The significance of this is that the Kazakhs were led to believe that they benefited tremendously by the takeover of Kazakhstan by Russia, because the Russians brought them culture, advancement, better lives, etc. The way this aids subjugation is that the Soviets got people to believe that they were better off under them, which in turn made resistance less likely. And the fact that schools taught this "official" history made it more credible and promoted conformity to the Soviet way of thinking.
In reality, the Kazakh ancestors are more accurately considered "semi-nomadic," and they actually had towns and cities that literally moved from one place in summer to another in winter. They had a developed political system, and they suffered greatly by the Russian takeover and Soviet policies which forced them to stop migrating and resulted in the deaths of millions of Kazakhs in the early 1900s.
Does this make you question anything you have been taught either in school or by the media?
How is the climate in Kazakhstan different from the climate in Virgina? It has been very hot in Virginia for the last few days.
ReplyDeleteIt has been very nice spring weather here--about 50 degrees at night and mid-sixties in the day. Apparently the spring and fall are very short but nice here, but the winters are very harsh and the summers very hot in most of the country. For instance, its capital, Astana, has an average daily temperature of just 6.4 degrees F. On the other hand, the temperature in parts of the country in the summer goes up to 120 degrees! Keep in mind that Kazakhstan is HUGE, and there is quite a bit of variance in its climate between one place and another.
DeleteMr.Dent,
ReplyDeleteyour trip sounds Awsome so far. hope you have a fu trip.to bad robotics is canceled
Yes, it's awesome, Colson! With your interest in geography and world affairs I know you would love to come and see these places and meet people here. I hope one day you will have an opportunity to go to Kazakhstan too. I am sorry that robotics has to be cancelled for these two weeks thought!!
DeleteDear Mr. Dent,
ReplyDeleteI find the pools in Kazakhstan very amazing. :)
- DaMonte
Dear Mr.Dent,
ReplyDeleteYou should have brought me.
From: Student from Ms.megginson
Hi Mr.Dent,
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing there? Is it fine,cool,or awesome? Hope you're having fun there.
Victoria
When you got there at 2:00 in the morning were you tired or sleepy at all, or did you sleep on the plane? If I were the person going I would be pretty tired! :) Oh, by the way how is the hotel over there? Is it comfy? Do they have good service?
ReplyDeleteNataly