The Final Update

[I've decided to retroactively add my "pre-blog" email updates sent from Uzbekistan to this blog. I think this should allow folks (just like you, or perhaps completely different from you - but folks nonetheless) to get a little background on my experience. Others will follow in similarly titled posts, but here's the first one:]


Hey All,
So here's the final email before the big move. I leave Jan 16 for my staging area in Philadelphia. On Jan 18, I'll board a plane at JFK bound for Istanbul, Turkey and ultimately Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This last week in New Jersey promises to be full of attempts to pack as much stuff as possible into two bags and as much food as possible into one stomach.

During my initial 11 weeks in country, the other new volunteers and I will live with host families while we learn about the local culture and how to speak Uzbek and (hopefully) a little Russian. After that, we'll split up to go to our various as-yet-to-be-named locations and officially begin our 2-year assignment. I'll move in with a new host family in a new city/village, at least for the first 3 months. After that, if there are places available for rent, I may move out on my own or stay on with my host family for the remainder of my assignment.

My mailing address during the first 11 weeks will be:
UZBEKISTAN, 700015 Tashkent
4 Turkestanskaya Street
c/o "Halqaro Pochtamt"
Attn: "Bradley Dakake"

[If you're feeling particularly adventuresome, you can print out the attached Cyrillic version of the above address, tape it to your envelope instead of the English version, and then (in theory) your letter will reach me sooner - just make sure you write "UZBEKISTAN" in English somewhere on the envelope.]

I'll send out my post-training address once I get it. But in the meantime, think how by sending me a letter, you can impress your friends - not to mention your postal worker - when you receive letters back from Uzbekistan. Talk about incentive... I'll probably have intermittent access to phone and email, though there's no guarantee and I think they're relatively expensive - besides, letters are more fun and only take about 3 weeks each way. As mail can be held up by the occasional labor strike, lazy mail donkeys, or big events like the local postal worker's niece's birthday party, please date your letters (and I'll do the same).

During these past weeks and months, I've had the chance to see many of you to say "See you later," and I truly appreciate all the well-wishing I've received and I wish it right back atcha. See you in 2.5 years, though if anyone wants to visit you're most welcome (really). I hear Uzbekistan is lovely in the spring...

ps - Many of you have asked me where exactly Uzbekistan is, so there's a map of the region attached as well.