Life in Chemal
(Form left: Nadejda, son-in-law Oleg, Park Burroughs, Rita Stachovich and Edvard Schmals, in Chemal in May 1999)
After hearing about the disaster in Chemal, I messaged another friend, journalist Tanya Turina, and asked her what she knew. Tanya has also spent much time in Chemal at the home of Edvard and Nadejda Schmals.
Tanya hadn't heard about it but got busy calling friends. Eventually, she was able to determine that the flood had occurred about a month ago after an accident at a hyrdoelectric plant. She believed it was far from the Schmals' house and there was probably nothing to be concerned about. I remember that there was a lake and a dam just a short walk downstream from the Schmals' house. I viewed satellite photo of the area on Google and could see no other impoundments farther upstream, so I suspect the dam I remember must have given way, sending water from the lake into the Katun River and flooding homes along the Katun on the north end of Chemal.
Tanya is still trying to get more information, which I'll pass along. In the meantime, I should tell you a little about the Schmals and their simple way of life. Some time ago, I wrote in this Catfish Creek about the barter economy of Chemal, and how the Schmals and everyone else in the village manage to survive without much money. Edvard works as a sort of road supervisor for the state government, and Nadejda works at the local museum. The first time I visited there, in 1999, neither of them had seen a paycheck in 11 months. Things were a little better four years ago during my last visit, but their pay was miniscule and sporadic.
Nevertheless, they manage to live a good life through hard work and a healthy lifestyle. More aboout that next time.
