Keep on rolling

Wow, my brain was feeling like it was going numb and my body was really lagging. I hit the ground running in Khorogh 4 days ago and it seems to not be letting up. It's been a productive and long weekend. We have reworked the whole budget and shifted the main office 40 miles. We have selected a part time business adviser and secretary to man the office. We have tested the internet connection and confirmed prices. Our laptop is set to being wiped and reloaded with Russian windows. We have requested a meeting with the local mayor and will be meeting with the district leader as well. Additionally there are the matters of living in Tajikistan such as washing clothes by hand and cooking from scratch. And on top of all that there is the building of relationships that is so vital in this area. As a team we are coming together and enjoy each others company. Whether it's toasting Coca Cola's or eating wraps down in the bazaar we are having a good time at it. We feel like things are being accomplished and it's a satisfying feeling.

But then came today. After conducting 2 forays out and walking 2-3 miles in the harsh arid environment I returned to my apartment again to prepare for my next three tasks, which included another 15 minute ride downtown, another 4 miles of walking, and two more meetings plus perhaps a dinner party. I sat down and my body just refused to get up again. There wasn't anything wrong other than exhaustion. My body was submitting it's final protest. Okay, so I spent the afternoon taking a nap and unwinding a bit. It's evening now and I had a healthy dinner of two eggs and a hotdog all fried in olive oil, classy right? Sometimes we have to take it a bit slower and today was my day.

I can't help but for it all to feel a bit otherworldly. Everything in Badakhshan seems so familiar, as if waking from a long night of dreaming. America begins to fade as unreal and the reality of blundering my way through the Pamiri language takes hold again. It seems like I've never left, so much is the same, but much has indeed changed. Familiar faces in the shops, old friends, and the mountains always looking over one's shoulder all seem to bring it back.

Tomorrow the President is coming and everyone is putting their final preparations in and the President's guard is already watching key points in the city. I'm hoping I can avoid any of the congestion surrounding the events as they tend to shut down roads.