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Oct. 11th, 2003 06:52 pmMy my, I am starting to re acclimate to Uzbek culture - today Timur's wife's birthday was very educations - some of his neices and nephews sang some gorgeous songs it was amazing - he made me sing and play and show off too, but Im a little embarrassed to lend my paltry talents to such an amazing group.
So they yelled at me for eating with my left hand - or rather they were shocked and told me to stop. I knew that Uzbeks tended to eat right handed and were always suprised when they saw that I was a lefty when I ate, but I've never had anyone make a big deal of it. Now they have and I will try to eat right handed from now on.
Also I'm startign to decipher the extended greeting rituals - people ask about the health of every family member in a variety of way - and the other person nods, says yes yes their good thank you, and then does the same thing in return. It sounds a lot like orthodox chanting in church.
And then there is the tradition of bringing stuff and taking it back - I brought a box of pastry from the market where I live - I am fortunate to live next to the best bakery in Tashkent (well unfortunate for my ample hips). Timurs wife handied me a sack with lepuoshka and samsa (dumplings) and god knows what all else in it - much more than what I brought.
And then there is the leaving thing - it is impossible to leave without taking 2 hours to do so - they always make people (its not just me, they do it to everyone) sit and eat more or sit and talk more. I'm used to allowing myself 10 American minutes to say my good byes and I need to recalibrate the amount of time I allow myself to get home from being a guest - I meant to be home an hour ago and would be home much later, but I didn't have to take the tram, one of the guests offered me a ride.
So they yelled at me for eating with my left hand - or rather they were shocked and told me to stop. I knew that Uzbeks tended to eat right handed and were always suprised when they saw that I was a lefty when I ate, but I've never had anyone make a big deal of it. Now they have and I will try to eat right handed from now on.
Also I'm startign to decipher the extended greeting rituals - people ask about the health of every family member in a variety of way - and the other person nods, says yes yes their good thank you, and then does the same thing in return. It sounds a lot like orthodox chanting in church.
And then there is the tradition of bringing stuff and taking it back - I brought a box of pastry from the market where I live - I am fortunate to live next to the best bakery in Tashkent (well unfortunate for my ample hips). Timurs wife handied me a sack with lepuoshka and samsa (dumplings) and god knows what all else in it - much more than what I brought.
And then there is the leaving thing - it is impossible to leave without taking 2 hours to do so - they always make people (its not just me, they do it to everyone) sit and eat more or sit and talk more. I'm used to allowing myself 10 American minutes to say my good byes and I need to recalibrate the amount of time I allow myself to get home from being a guest - I meant to be home an hour ago and would be home much later, but I didn't have to take the tram, one of the guests offered me a ride.
