Spreading the News

I was so excited on Wednesday when I got texts from my mom and other volunteers about the election results! I was in class and immediately told my counterpart Dinara that Obama had won. “Oh, the black man?” she asked and wanted me to write out his full name for her. She’s been listening to me talk about this for months and I think some of my excitement had rubbed off on her, but it definitely wasn’t the same as sharing the moment with fellow Americans.

I knew there was one teacher who would really care though, the computer teacher Kanat-agai who knows a little English too. He’s been borrowing my Newsweeks (though unfortunately Peace Corps recently cut those from the budget). I couldn’t find him at school, so I stopped by the store his family runs on my way home. He was working at the counter and immediately understood what I came in blubbering about in my broken Kyrgyz. He was so happy he shook my hand and kissed my cheek, and then gave me a candy bar for bringing him the good news! Now that was the response I was looking for!

So I’m sad to be missing this moment in American history at home, but the media’s right when they say the whole world was watching this one. Even here in the village, we’ve got some Obama enthusiasts celebrating this week!