September 1st is the first day of school in Kazakhstan. I don't feel like people are very happy to return to school in America, but it is treated as a holiday in Kazakhstan. In fact, today every greeted each other with "happy holiday". The first day is ceremonial. There was a speech by the school director, the mayor of the town. The 11th graders (our senior class) stood in front of the school and there was a ceremony where the new 1st graders were all called forward and presented to the rest of the school. Its a big deal.
We were sandwiched in like sardines and the room quickly became an oven (one girl fainted).
It is a tradition to bring your teachers flowers on the first day of school. Also, all little girls (and a few of the older ones) wear the white puffs in the hair.
I leave on a vacation on Friday and will not be back until the end of the month. I'll visit the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea, see much of the old silk road in Kazakhstan and many historic places. As fate would have it, my camera broke today...two days before my 22 day trip. I'll have to pick one up on the way out of town and hope I get a good buy and a good camera!
