valerie
May 12, 2025 - probably won’t be a surprise to anyone who has had American fast food abroad, but KFC in Kyrgyzstan is better than in the US. Or at least I found this KFC in the LAX airport lacking. Or maybe it would be better to eat at a regular KFC in the US
May 6, 2025 - Flydubai’s animated aviation safety video featured women wearing golden face shields. At first, I thought it was just a random character design choice, but after looking into it, seems like it might be a battoulah? (Also I think the black is a veil rather than hair?)
May 4, 2025 - went to a Globus supermarket in Bishkek and they were selling emoji plushies which were put in Morrison’s bags for some reason (I assume to keep them clean, but it just looked weird)
May 3, 2025 - May 2nd is my host sister’s birthday, and May 4th is my host mom’s birthday, so my host family made chicken shashlik last night, and it was really good 😋 this is the second batch of skewers before they were cooked
May 2, 2025 - Shrek in Panfilov Park got a paint job done that makes him look truer to his color in the animated films. On the other hand, Donkey (not pictured) is darker now, but at least his second ear (which was broken) got repaired
May 1, 2025 - statue of famous Soviet-era Kyrgyz artist Chokmorov, who is also on Kyrgyzstan’s 5000 som bill (the largest bill denomination here)
April 30, 2025 - I remember when this was a thing in America, that you could find Coca-Cola bottles with various names on them. Seems that it’s here in Kyrgyzstan now, though I don’t know for how long. I could only find my host father’s name, not anyone else in my host family
April 29, 2025 - used a toilet at a hotel while there for a conference. The only dispenser on the wall next to the sink read “hair and body wash”. I didn’t want to use hair and body wash to wash my hands, but I also didn’t want to not use soap! (yeah yeah I assume that the label wasn’t accurate)
Anyone have phone or laptop stand recommendations? Or any other gift idea for someone who likes gifts that can be used (not just something that will sit and collect dust or be consumed)? Going to America for a short visit soon, so if you recommend something available there, that’s okay
April 25, 2025 - after our lesson yesterday, a student handed me a folded piece of paper as she left the classroom. At first, I thought it was just trash. But when I opened it, I saw this message 😭🩷 the students are 1000% the best part of this job
April 23, 2025 - despite being ‘fried with salt’, I find these almonds to be too sweet… will try different almonds next time
