The KHL, Hot Water and Restaurant Variety Shows

TV programming in the former Soviet Union in still mostly in Russian, which actually works out really well for me as it forces me to sit and really listen for an hour or so every evening....maybe a little more. There are a few Uzbek channels too. Although I don't undertand a word of them, I don't know if I would call them hard hitting exactly. Anyway, among the Russian channels I get a couple of news stations, a bunch of stations with predominantly shows dubbed from English (man, sync it up better or at least turn down the volunme on the English, the way they do it it's impossible to understand either language), a I think three sport channel. After, of course, soccer and a lotta biathalon which seems to be be very popular in Russia one of stations also shows KHL games pretty regularly. It's actaully pretty good hockey. The other night I watched Dinamo Riga play the St. Petersburg team (I can't remember their name but it seems like every second team is called Dinamo). It was in Riga, the arena was full, there was lots of hitting and it was a fast, skilled, good game. Alexei Yashin was playing for St. Petersburg and Sandis Ozolinch was playing for Riga. Although he did look a little tipsy (ok, I take that back, I am trying to be politically correct in this blog!)
From reading abou the KHL in the Candadian and even the Russian press I was under the impression that the league wasn't doing that well. But from the games I've seen, the rinks have been full and the hockey's been good. I think it's here to stay (unless there's a house of the oligarchs of course).
Interestingly, Russian sports news will mention the NBA and given daily scores, I have not seen the NHL mentioned once so far.

Ok, the hot water. former Soviet cities have centralized hot water systems- I guess it made sense when the systems were first designed- communal living and all. Anyway, once a year, in spring, the system gets turned off in one section of the city at a time for 3-10 days so the pipes can be cleaned. Another expat, living about two blocks over told myself and the 2-3 of us living on my block earlier this week that her water is now off. Mine still isn't, but something to look forward to soon I think.

Lastly, this past wednesday I had dinner with a few people at an Uzbek restaurant. It was good, but what was really interesting was in the middle of the restaurant a small space was cleared out and a whole troupe of performers but on a full variety show for the whole time we were there. Everything from acrobats to line dancing. It was....unusual.

That's it for now...don't think the trip out of town is going to happen...the weather is terrible. Hopefully soon though.

GAISHNIKI

So the GAI (Gosudarstvennya Avtomobilnaya Inspektsyya) was the former name of the traffic police in, I think, all of the former Soviet States. In some states (Ukraine? Georgia?) they've been abolished and in others their name has been changed to something in the national language. However, where they do exist the officers are still universally referred to as GAIshniki and, at least in Taskent, they stand at pretty much every intersection. They carry orange batons and wave over passing motorists to, well, shall we say, inspect their documents.
I bring this up because today I had lunch with two Uzbek guys. At the end we were figuring out the cheque (I forgot my wallet- smooth) and one of them said to the other, 'hey, you drove, take out for gas and the GAIshniki.'
Pretty sure I'm gonna remember my wallet next time- yeesh.

Crossing the Streeet

Well, like in many places, sometimes including Vancouver, is terrifying here. At least people are nice enough to honk and flash their lights if they're going to smush you. Keeps you alert.
Anyway, it's been a good week. Unfortunately my internet connection has still not been switched on- from what I got out of the super-fast talking tech guy this morning was that the Internet Provider has to wait for Uzbek Telecom to do something to the phone line before it'll work. And like most big bureacracies, like many in Canada too, they'll do it when they feel like it. Hopefully, hopefully this week.
The work is good. Lots to learn, so it's keeping me busy. I think like learning languages, you never really start to learn about a part of the world until you get there- although I guess drinking lattes in the mall isn't how most Uzbeks are spending their Saturday afternoon.
Have finally got a trip out of the city planned. Myself and a few of the other local ex-pats are going to head to Samarkand next weekend for the long weekend (yup, another one). we'll stay they for a night and then head to the birthplace of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) who, among other things, is Uzbekistan's National Hero.
Hmmm...I think that's about it for now....kind of boring....will try to do some more interesting things before I post again, or at least make some stuff up!

Going to the Bank

Banking is a bit of an issue here. I did know that but forget what a, well, adventure it could be. There are bank machines here but they do not work with Canadian bank cards. There're ATM's just for doing credit card advances, but they're generally empty- or only work with Mastercard, which I don't have.
So the best way to get cash is to go to a bank, or western-type hotel that has a 'Visa Electron' sign up out front and ask the teller for a cash advance.
Last week I got a ride from someone in the office to the Intercontinental (THE hotel in Tashkent) and did an advance at their exchange office. Anyway, not wanting to bug anyone in the office again and wanting to be somewhat independent, I decided to go this morning to a bank close to the office that I had noticed on the weekend had a 'Visa Electron' sign out. So I set off this morning thinking I'd be back at the office in a half hour- ah yeah. I got there, spoke to the policemen at the front counter (all banks seem to be guarded by police here). I asked about a cash advance, but could see behind him that they just had a machine, which didn't bode well. He asked someone else, who seemed to be working there- neither had any idea. Eventually another cop said that I could go ahead and try the machine, but that it would only dispense Uzbek Sums (the nationaly currency). I said thanks and left. I got in a 'cab' and headed to the Intercontinental on the other side of town (population of Tashkent is 4+ million) where I was told they were currently out of dollars (and I'm talking about US dollars here). Discouraged, I then remembered that the headquarters of the heavily-guarded national bank was right next door. Thinking, 'what the hell' I walked past the barricades and after showing my documents a few times I was told that I could withdraw dollars but that they were going on lunch and I'd have to come back later (we're talking a 40 storey building here). So I hoped in another 'cab' and headed back across town.
Argh, but I needed the money- to pay in dollars after work to the internet provider so I could get my modem and get my internet up and running at my apartment. So I had lunch, thought about it....and went back. Success. And let me tell you, I will not need to go back for a while. Finally I got back to office, apologized to the boss for being gone for 4hours (didn't feel that bad, I am working for free). Anyway, finished up the day, headed with my landlord and her husband to the internet provider (they have to sign a contract for me with the internet provider) and, of course the same person who had said dollars last week (we tried to do this last week but the power was out) now said they wanted only Uzbek Sums. Double argh.
Anyway 10 mins later, the husband (I don't know his name which is why I'm calling him the 'the husband') were on a street corner doing a black-market currency exchance which ended up saving me about $40 dollars- I think....hmmmm....
In the end, it was actually a good day. I got the money, I got the modem. It's all good and all part of the adventure!

First Week

Well It's been a good first week, really good. I've found an apartment, a really nice apartment. Close to the office too which is excellent!
I spent the first couple of days getting accustomed to the office, meeting people, finding my way around. Seems like a good group. Everyone is very keen on speaking to me in English. I went along with it at first but next week it's all about the Russian!
I'm trying to track down an Uzbek teacher, man it's different from anything I've heard before. Will hopefully be able to get going on that next week.
This is actually a long weekend here, for International Women's Day, which is on Monday- so my first weekend is a long one!
As I hadn't really seen much of the city I started off today (Saturday) by heading into the centre and really just wandering around. Saw a lot of monuments and attractions as well as went to a couple of the bazaars and, of course, the mall.
That's about it for now....as I do more interesting things, or at least things I think are interesting, I'll keep posting!

Sketchy

just a short post. I was at the grocery store yesterday and saw a Lincoln Navigator with Kabul licence plates parked out front. Hmmmm......

The Beginning

Ok, I'm here! Yeesh, a bit of long trek, but no worse for wear- I think. After spending Saturday in Toronto I left Pearson on Turkish Airlines for Istanbul. It was ok, about 9:30 hours to get there.
The arrival time in Istanbul was actually perfect as I had just enough time to get to the next gate to board my flight to Tashkent- which was about 4.5 hours.
The Tashkent airport....well, it was actually decently fast. A bit over an hour from the time we landed until I walked out the front door of the airport. The best part was that the TV's in the customs hall were tuned to Euro Sport showing the gold medal game. I think the game was being called by an Australian guy, which was a bit weird. Anyway, needless to say I was jumping up and down and cheering when Crosby got the winner- much the amusement (bemusement?) of the Uzbeks who really didn't seem all the interested in hockey.
I was picked up in one of those classic white UN SUV's with the big, blue 'UN' on the side. Pretty cool. I'm staying in a hotel for the first few days while I look for an apartment.
Met the office yesterday. Not exactly sure what I'll be doing yet, but everyone seems nice and helpful. Saw a few apartments yesterday and will see a few more today. Will probably take a week or so to get internet hooked up in whatever I rent so internet access will be a bit spotty till then.
Anyway, that's about it for now, just heading off to start my first real day of work!