Counting Down

Well, it's Sunday afternoon here, and I just wanted to post and say that Monday is exactly 4 weeks until I'm back home!! Woo hoo!

Things are going well here, although we'll have a little extra excitement this week. The whole city--businesses, major streets, international organizations including the U.S. Embassy--is shutting down on Wed. and Thurs. of this coming week because the Shanghai Organizational Commission is visiting Bishkek. We were told that lots of armed soldiers will be on the streets those days, stopping pedestrians and asking for their paperwork and for explanations re: why they're out on the streets. No one expects violence, but we were told that people are very nervous about security b/c some major politicians and other important folk are coming through with the SOC, so it's best if no one leaves the house on those days. So on Wed. and Thurs. of this week, I'll work from home and not leave the apartment for two days. We're going to the market on Monday to stock up, and we have an extra jug of bottled water at the apartment already. Should be fine, a pretty mellow couple of days and a great way to save money. :) You can't spend money if you can't leave the house!

I'll sign off now b/c I'm meeting some of the office girls at the pool and gym and will be getting my own marshrootka. Should be no problem, but I'm leaving lots of extra time in case I miss my stop!