the low down

So, here is my last post before heading to DC on Saturday. I realize that in my postings so far, I haven't given a summary run down of what I know and what I'm doing. So here is what I know:

• I leave Saturday for DC and have orientation at a hotel until Tuesday
  
• Tuesday night I fly to Frankfurt, Germany and then on to Almaty (pronounced ahl-MAH-ty), Kazakhstan by Wednesday night.
• The time zone difference from Almaty to EST is +10 hrs, CST +10hrs. (Right now, 2pm CST, 3pm EST Thursday, is 1 AM Friday in Almaty)
• Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, although Astana (AH-stah-nah) is the capital.
  
• I will live with a family starting next Wednesday or Thursday through the duration of my training.
• I will then receive my post, most likely in a different city/village/town/region, and then live for 3 months with another family.
• After my mandatory homestays I will be able to move out on my own or with a group of other young adults, pending availability of housing.
  
• 70% of volunteers en up in rural settings, 30% in urban environments
• All my travel, vacation, food, lodging, living expenses, and postage is covered by a living stipend given by the Peace Corps. They also forgive 30% of my federal student loans, and I receive a $6,000 start-up bonus upon completion of service.
  
• There are currently 116 volunteers in Kazakhstan.
• I am the 19th generation of PCVs in Kazakhstan.
• I will be Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in a secondary school where English is already taught as a compulsory subject.
  
• I will act mainly as a teaching assistant to work with conversation practice. I am also taking my guitar and lots of music to hopefully use as teaching aids.
  
• I can come home during my service if I choose to use my vacation time (I get 2 days per month) and my personal funds (I would be responsible for the plane ticket) in that way. In the case of an emergency at home, PC will pay for my trip and grant me extra vacation time.
• I will be speaking either primarily Russian or Kazakh - both use the Cyrillic alphabet - depending on the region I am placed into.
  

I think that is about it. I can obviously answer questions as they come.

And, just as a curiosity, here is my master packing list:

• 3 sports coats
• 1 formal suit
• 8 dress shirts
• 4 dress pants
• 8 ties
• Dress shoes (black and brown)
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 6 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve t-shirts
  
• 2 pair casual pants
• 2 sweaters, 1 sweatshirt
• Hat, gloves, scarf
• 2 pair long underwear
• Socks and underwear
  
• Waterproof winter boots
• 3 pair wool socks
• Rain jacket
• Everyday shoes, sandals
  
• Laptop computer
• Digital camera
• iPod
• 20 CDs of music
  
• Guitar
• Office supplies (notebooks, paper, binders, pens, sharpies)
• Playing cards
• Chess/checkers board
• 10 books (novels, dictionaries, russian course book, bible)
• Journal
• Address book
  
• Flashlight
• Alarm clock
• Random spices
• Pictures of home, friends and family
  
• Gifts for family (candles, playing cards, KY horse calendars, KY bourbon)
• Misc. gifts (Candy, gum, chocolate, American coins, t-shirts)

I still have lots to do before I can leave Saturday morning, so I should wrap this up. I would love any calls or emails before I head out. Our church is being so wonderful as to throw me a going-away party tomorrow night, and my older brother is coming to visit, so we'll have all 5 Murray Montgomerys in one house. It is great to have such great friends and family.

Peace.