Monday, July 21, 2008

The most beautiful thing I have seen in the past 11 months!

Sarah and I arrived back in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan this morning, after a trip through Tajikistan and then to Osh. It was an eventful trip, with much to think about. How often do you get to travel along the Afghan border and see tanks that remain from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

We had hoped to have more time in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, but events have just not turned out as planned. Four weeks of the giardia diet (eat all you want, don't exercise, and still lose weight!) has taken a toll, and now it is time to get back to Kazakhstan and some semblance of normalcy. I leave for a 2 month trip around KZ in early September, so need some time to recover. And go clothes shopping--since nothing seems to fit, anymore!

Anyway, we flew into Bishkek this morning--completely exhausted both mentally and physically. When we stepped off of the plane, we were met with the most beautiful sight--a row of 10 US Air Force C5s (no, I didn't recognize the plane--we called Sarah's boyfriend, who is in the Air Force, and he gave us the information). After eleven months away from home, it was so wonderful to see the US flag on each of those planes. We didn't realize that the airport is shared with Manas Air Base--and as Army brats, it was just like home.

Central Asia is a wonderful place, and I am fortunate to live here. But there are times when there is nothing quite like the US!