To Guest

In our valley of residence, "guest" isn't just an ordinary noun.  An English equivalent would be "movie star" or "The President"...well maybe not exactly, but it is a person for whom you bend completely to show high honor.  In fact it's not just a noun at all.  It can be used as a verb.  An English equivalent would be "to walk the red carpet"(sort of).  It's a word that carries significance that our American minds can't fully fathom.  Guests are like gold.  They are honored and cradled with care.  They are the reason to make Osh.  They are the reason to make Kurutob (a yogurt dish).  They are the reason to rejoice.  Indeed, at times the care feels oppressive due to it's urgency, yet it's warm in its own way.

Recently we went to an English student's house for his birthday.  He lives a little off the beaten path.  A place where foreigners rarely are seen.  Upon seeing our car driving his road, he began running to us with excitement.  He was so excited that he slipped and fell on the ground.  We drove him back to his house and on the way he waved out the window of the car to his friends with passion, as if to say, "look at my guests...Americans!"  That night it might as well have been our birthday.

Thus my discourse has led me to this:  We had a guest!  The last week in May through the first week in June we had our first guest from the States come and join us.  It was a load of fun and hugely encouraging.  Not sure we compared to the hospitality the local people show.  But being such good friends, I don't think we had to.  

Enjoy Pics from our guesting:

They must be related.

An amazing ESL teaching duo.  Unstoppable.

Kurutob, the yogurt dish.  Our Guest had no problem
eating like the locals! 

One of the best English students.  She is a gem.

This was all for our guest.  And if
you don't eat it all, you shame
the family!  (Just kidding)

It was a meal for our office staff too.  And there is no way
to ever finish the food they lay out.  Always, once your done
It seems like nothing was eaten.
They then proceed to say, "You haven't eaten anything!  EAT!" 

We like to put our guests to work as much as possible.
:) 

A day up in the mountains.... !

More guesting with our guest.

Jo's birthday!

The last day in the capital before our guest went home.