The past two weeks have flown by and we are already in the middle of February. On Monday I enjoyed chaperoning the grade 8 students during the TIS Ski Season. We are taking grades 5 and up for a day of skiing and winter sports at the Amirsoy Resort. I see the value of introducing students to outdoor pursuits to establish a lifetime of physical activity. I was surprised at how many students have never tried skiing or snowboarding. I think skiing and skating should be one of the essential life skills people should learn like riding a bicycle, swimming, etc. I felt like “Super Dad” assisting students in putting on their ski boots, guiding them through the rental process, giving advice on safer stopping, etc. It was a thoroughly rewarding day and being outdoors just lifts my spirits. The mountains of Uzbekistan are breathtaking and it is good to get out of the city and breathe in the fresh winter air.
All the snow and ice melted earlier this week, but it snowed again two days ago. Temperatures are not as cold as the historic cold spell we experienced in January, with the thermometer at -4C (25F) as I write this on Saturday morning. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground and it was uncomfortably cold last night walking the dog. The rest of the month shows lows around freezing and highs in the 40s and low 50s. I am turning into my father, tracking the weather closely in my later years. 🙂 The rain and snow do clear the air pollution but leave the school grounds. a muddy mess.
I asked my oldest son Owen to take some pictures of him snowboarding at Marquette Mountain. Northern Michigan University students get a season discount and like me, the outdoor exercise is good for him between classes.
I end this post with a photo of the Intercontinental Hotel. The building will be opening in April and it is amazing to me the growth of Tashkent. I see in the news that the President has put a halt on further building projects because of the increased demand on the gas and electrical infrastructure. The aging system needs investment to meet with increased demand from population and economic growth.
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