Tag: Blog Challenge

Development Of A Kyrgyzstani Identity

Published on by Mark Jahnke

When I first visited Central Asia in 2013, one of the first things I noticed was the emphasis placed in Tajikistan on defining what it means to be a citizen of Tajikistan and a practitioner of Tajik culture.  In Kyrgyzstan, I’ve come upon a similar phenomenon, and upon further reading, have also seen aspects of it in other countries in the region.  It’s been so interesting for me to explore because it has unexpectedly cast a new lens on how I see my own identity as an American. Continue reading “Development Of A Kyrgyzstani Identity” →

24 Hours In Arslanbob: A Weekend In The Walnut Forest

Published on by Mark Jahnke

One of the biggest pieces of advice I’ve been given as a Peace Corps Volunteer is to accept the invitation.  My colleague Colleen wrote a really good post about this, so when two of my site-mates and I got the invite last Friday to go to Arslanbob for the weekend with a local friend of ours and stay with his aunt, we didn’t hesitate to say yes.   Continue reading “24 Hours In Arslanbob: A Weekend In The Walnut Forest” →

Day Tripping to Chong-Alay

Published on by Mark Jahnke

Today was one of those days that reminds me why I absolutely love where I am and what I’m doing. I’ve mentioned a few times before that I do some work on the side at the Osh American Corner, including talking clubs, movie clubs, an art club, and even a talk about Alaska Native art from my hometown. All of this works towards the second goal of the Peace Corps, which is to share American culture with the people of Kyrgyzstan.

Well, the American Corner program has a really cool even that’s happening right now called American Corner Book Caravan. Basically, the American Corner hires out a marshrutka (making it a literal caravan), and fills it with toys, games, books, and performers (and the occasional wayward Peace Corps Volunteer) and brings them out to regional centers and villages to set up mini-carnivals to share American culture and to share information about the resources available at our library in Osh.

Today, we went to the most distant rayon centre in Osh Oblast: Daroot-Korgon. Continue reading “Day Tripping to Chong-Alay” →

72 Hours In Osh, Kyrgyzstan: A Destination Guide

Published on by Mark Jahnke

Summer is here, which means that each week, more and more adventurous tourists come passing through my beloved home of Osh, Kyrgyzstan.  A lot has changed about Osh even since the Lonely Planet Central Asia and the Bradt Kyrgyzstan guides were updated in 2014, so I wanted to put together a quick destination guide to things to do and see in Osh for the DIY tourist who’s going to be passing through or staying for a few days.  Most tourists only budget a few days or even a few hours for Osh, but let me tell you, there’s plenty of reasons to spend more time than that here!

Lets get started! Continue reading “72 Hours In Osh, Kyrgyzstan: A Destination Guide” →

Why I Joined The Peace Corps

Published on by Mark Jahnke

Why did I join the Peace Corps?  It’s a question that gets asked of me all the time, and one to which there are as many answers as there have been volunteers.  Some people wanted to serve.  Some wanted an adventure.  Some didn’t know what else to do.  But what about me? Continue reading “Why I Joined The Peace Corps” →