Peace Corps Volunteer Erica Bustinza in Kazakstan: I'm pretty sure my host family thinks I'm taking hallucinogens or something



I tried to explain what was happening but unfortunately the word I had learned for dream means the kind of dream for the future, like a hope. So Sveta thought that I was saying that it was my dream to someday have goats in my bedroom. I think sometimes she wonders why she got stuck with a crazy volunteer instead of a cool normal one.

Peace Corps Volunteer Erica Bustinza in Kazakstan: I'm pretty sure my host family thinks I'm taking hallucinogens or something

Monday, August 15, 2005

Kazak Hospitality

[Excerpt]

I'm pretty sure my host family thinks I'm taking hallucinogens or something. The other night I went to bed around 11:00pm. We had gone to a birthday party at my host family's sister-in-law's house who has some animals. I guess that incited a dream about me bringing goats in my room. I also dreamt that I accidentally brought a big ram with horns into my room and at that point I woke up and thought I saw the ram there about ready to attack me.

I ran out of my room into the hallway. My host sister Sveta was there looking all concerned because of my panicking. I crept up to the door and put my hand in to turn on the light ready to run back out and get backup reinforcements but when I turned on the light I realized nobody was there.

I turned around and Sveta was now looking scared and ready to ask me to get out of her house. I tried to explain what was happening but unfortunately the word I had learned for dream means the kind of dream for the future, like a hope. So Sveta thought that I was saying that it was my dream to someday have goats in my bedroom. I think sometimes she wonders why she got stuck with a crazy volunteer instead of a cool normal one.

As you may know, I have a real love of funny things. It is kind of a problem though because I think of the funny things at inopportune times. Usually when I am walking on the street, or in a meeting waiting for the translation of what my counterpart is saying. The problem is that I start to laugh and it makes me look like a real psycho laughing for seemingly no reason. I figured maybe I could end each blog mentioning what has recently make me laugh at an inappropriate time. If the funny thing mentioned involves you, just know that you contributed to Kazakhstan thinking that I am another crazy American.

When this story was posted in August 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

Top Story: Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Latest: Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. RPCVs: Take our Poll.

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Upcoming Events: Peace Corps Fund in NYC Peace Corps Fund announces Sept 29 Fund Raiser in NYC High Atlas Foundation Hosts a Reception in NYC on Sept 15 Jody Olsen to address Maryland RPCVs at Sept 17 picnic "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept "Iowa in Ghana" at "The Octogan" in Ames through October 7 RPCV Film Festival in DC in October RPCV's exhibit at Museum of Man in San Diego thru May 2006

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Top Stories: August 20, 2005 Jack Crandall writes "Memories relished by WWII Generation" Cris Groenendaal plays Phantom of Opera on Broadway 19 Aug Peace Corps Director Travels to Madagascar 19 Aug RPCV presents "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" 19 Aug Robert Brown to head Southeast Asian Studies at UCLA 19 Aug Peter McPherson to head national university association 19 Aug Len Flier says US has lose-lose scenario in Iraq 18 Aug Ruth DeMaio sends aid to Niger 18 Aug Bob Taft pleads no contest to ethics law violation 18 Aug Antoinette Allen is Field Hockey coach at Hun School 16 Aug Tony Hall Avoids Mugabe on Zimbabwe trip 14 Aug Peace Corps Receives 2005 Medgar Evers Award 10 Aug Jeff Wray is filming "The Soul Searchers" 10 Aug 40th anniversary of Shriver's Foster Grandparent Program 9 Aug Tom Petri writes "It's not just about highways" 9 Aug Terry Dougherty brings students from Afghanistan to US 8 Aug Chris Newhall is leading volcano scientist 5 Aug Douglas Biklen appointed dean at Syracuse University 5 Aug Greg Kovalchuk and Mike Kelly Find Rare Fossil 4 Aug Edward O'Toole salvages furniture for schools in Honduras 3 Aug Gary Mount is Apple Grower Of The Year 1 Aug

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