Ooh-Eee, Ooh-Aah-Aah, Ting-Tang, Wallah-Wallah-Bing-Bang...

As you might expect after a week away at a conference, it’s been a ridiculously busy week back at work. But a lot is getting done and the time passes quickly, so I’m not complaining. Plus, this week was a four day week, next week will be a four day week (because we’re leaving on our jaunt to Uzbekistan), and the following week will be a three day week due to a couple of holidays. Yes, the United States has a rather spare holiday schedule and most other countries put us to shame. Fortunately, to respect our local colleagues, we close for both local and U.S. holidays.

I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but Stephanie took a tumble down the stairs while I was away. Fortunately, she wasn’t seriously hurt – she was able to check in with the embassy health practitioner - but she did give her ankle a good twist. I was getting pretty concerned though, because the swelling on her ankle wasn’t going down. Lucky for us, Stephanie’s Tajiki instructor apparently dabbles in voodoo.

Stephanie told me that she looked at it, waved her hands over it a few times, and made some brushing movements over it. Then she pressed on some points on Stephanie’s hands and drew a symbol before continuing their lesson. Whatever she did, it certainly didn’t hurt because the swelling and pain have started to go away. There’s a nasty bruise, but it seems that the Tajik magic did the trick.

For this weekend we’re going to try to see our first Buzkashi match. It’s apparently like polo, but with a dead goat instead of a ball. Whoever carries the goat across the goal wins. It’s a very ancient sport and we’re excited to witness it. Of course, there will be pictures…