November 21, 2011

I spent a quiet morning at home catching up with email and doing some reading of my numerous books in digital format. When it was time to go to the institute, I decided to take a different route and instead of walking to Rudaki and taking the trolley, hopped into a mini-van going straight northbound and got off close to the intersection with PedInst. There are no blocks here, just one long block full of eateries for the locals, some quite well appointed and others that looked like just holes in the wall. Since it was close to lunch time, they were busy getting ready for the crowds, I guess.

                                                          Arches at the Ismoili Plaza

My conversation class was instructed to answer some questions about their parents’ jobs, their own jobs and their dream jobs, a question most of them had a hard time answering as if it had never occurred to them to dream of being president, a famous movie star or a scientist. The word “prestigious” baffled them and they didn’t know what to say about having union representation or unemployment compensation. Only three of the students present actually had jobs and one of them was seasonal. Not much to work with.

Returned to my flat to have a lunch of leftovers, read some more and took a quick nap until the people living next door started to drill and hammer in what appears to be remodeling job taking place on evenings and weekend.

I was wondering what’s up with Tajik men, mostly the younger generation, who wear extremely pointy shoes. Is it to send a message as to how well-endowed they might be? Some of the shoes border on the ridiculous with their elaborate pleats, faux crocodile skin and other adornments.

What is beginning to get my goat is how often and indiscriminately the men spit. They seem to do it just about every few minutes and everywhere, but I find it most disgusting when they leave their spit on the steps leading to my apartment. You would think they would refrain from such activity right in the place they live.