Tag: america

America Again: The Peace Corps Top Bloggers’ Tour

Published on by Mark Jahnke

It’s going to take me a little while to process the incredible week that was my week in Washington, D.C. at the Peace Corps Top Bloggers’ Tour last week.  As I’ve mentioned a few times, I was one of 8 amazing bloggers from across the Peace Corps world who won the 2016 Peace Corps Blog It Home blogging contest this summer, which earned me a trip to Washington this week to participate in this tour of trainings, professional development, and the chance to share the cultures of our countries with middle school students and Girl Scouts from across the DMV.  I’m pinching myself so hard, because in the past six months, things have just gotten more and more amazing. Continue reading “America Again: The Peace Corps Top Bloggers’ Tour” →

October 2016 Photo Roundup

Published on by Mark Jahnke

It’s the end of the month, and as a part of a new blogging and photography goal I’ve set for myself with BloggingAbroad, I’ve been taking photos based on prompts (and just from life in general), and I wanted to share a few with you!  Take a look, read about it, and click to enlarge if you want to see more closely. Continue reading “October 2016 Photo Roundup” →

Tajik National Unity Day

Published on by Mark Jahnke
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Two parts Olympic Opening Ceremony, one part Soviet-style nationalist rally, one part Beyoncé concert

Yesterday was by far one of the most spontaneous and interesting days we have had since arriving in Tajikistan.  June 27th is National Unity Day, and marks the anniversary of the signing of the peace accord that ended Tajikistan’s brutal civil war that devastated the country from 1992-1997.  On that day 16 years ago, representatives from the government and the opposition met in Moscow under UN supervision to sign an accord and begin a process of reconciliation that seems to me to have brought a national pride and unity to the country.  I’m sure that somewhere, people are unhappy, but that’s the way that countries work.  In any case, it is an important day to Tajiks, and serves as a solemn reminder of their country’s suffering on its journey to independence. Continue reading “Tajik National Unity Day” →