As-salaamu alaykum. Welcome..

The site should properly be named BARCHINOY, but at some point in time my editing skills slipped.

I’m Sharron. From 2002-03, I lived in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan and taught high school students English as a Foreign Language through the U.S. Peace Corps. I might as well tell you that the Peace Corps motto is absolutely true: it was tough and I loved it.

On this site, I’ll relate anecdotes about the lovely country of Uzbekistan, give accolades and shout outs to the deserving (Big “What up” to the staff and students of Mirzo Hojaev Lyceum), advise the Central Asia-bound about surviving 100+ heat without a pressing comb, and invite you to drop me a line and leave your comments at barchinoy.literature@gmail.com.

I’m stateside now, so the “How I'm Living” section should properly be “How I Was Living,” but, as Bukhara captured my heart, a part of me is still in Uzbekistan. Now, on to the good stuff…

Both Kalmaks want the possessions of this world * Do not cry, dear father, my heart is broken too * God's will shall prevail * Do not speak disparagingly * Do not look down upon any other man Do not cry, father, my heart sinks too * Do not lose your hopes, dear father, you still have your Barchin I will look at my face in the mirror * and see what God created - Barchinoy's words from 'Alpamysh,' H.B. Paksoy translation