Communications for the next three months

Communication while I am in training

I have found the address that I can be contacted at for the next three months. Mail will most likely take two to three weeks to arrive in Turkmenistan. So I am giving you all the address that I can be contacted at, so you can start writing letters now if you would like. While I know that the first part of the time that I am there will be fast paced and filled with tastes, sights, and feelings that I have never had before I cannot wait to hear from you on what is going on here in the states. If I can make one request and that is to number your letters, so I will know if one doesn't arrive.

I cannot wait to hear your words while I am in Turkmenistan and I look forward to telling you all about what I am experiencing as much as possible. So without further adieu here is my address for the next three months.

PCT Chris Schirm
U.S. Peace Corps/Turkmenistan
PO Box 258 Krugozor
Central Post Office
Ashgabat, 744000
TURKMENISTAN

If you are shipping something larger than a letter here are some helpful hints that will help the package arrive safely and timely to Turkmenistan.

1) put "Airmail" and "Par Avion via Istanbul" on the outside of the package/envelope. It is safer and quicker for mail to come through Turkey as opposed to Moscow, which is the default route.

2) Use padded envelopes whenever possible. It is standard practice for all boxes to be examined at the airports as well as at the Central Post Office in Asghabat.

Around December I will get a new address once I find out what my permanent address is going to be while I am doing my project. I look forward to hearing from all of you soon.

Sincerely,
Chris

Preparing in the desert

Salam!

I am in Chandler, Arizona right now preparing for the journey to Turkmenistan by learning the beginnings of the Turkmen language (e.g. questions, letters, numbers, salutations, and phrases). I have also been spending as much time outdoors in Phoenix's 100+ degree heat to get used to it. Turkmenistan has a very comparable climate to Arizona, with some days of 110+ degrees.

In the course of my studies I have come upon some great reading materials that you should take a look at if you are interested in finding out about Turkmenistan, Peace Corps and Central Asia generally:

The Lonely Planet Guide to Central Asia
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/turkmenistan/

Thubron, Colin. "The Lost Heart of Asia." Perenial Press 1994.
This book is the tale of an explorer from England and how he traveled by air, car, camel and foot around Central Asia. The first two chapters of the book are about people and landmarks in both Ashgabat, West Turkmenistan, and the historic ruins of Merv in Eastern Turkmenistan.

Banerjee, Dillon. "So you What to Join the Peace Corps: What to Know Before You Go" Ten Speed Press 2000.
A book that I read over and over during the course of the application process.

Here are some pictures that I have taken in my days here in Arizona.



I have made my final travel arrangements. I will be flying out of Arizona on September 28 and will be back in DC from the September 29-October 2. I fly out of DC to Frankfurt, I have a six hour lay over there and then I fly to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. I am scheduled to arrive in Turkmenistan on October 4. Let the adventure to begin.

If you would like to get in touch with me before I take off, just post a comment on this blog with your name email and phone number and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Sag bol, pronounced thag-bowl, (Thanks)