Last week was Valentine’s Day, and one of the teachers with whom I work gave me a very nice souvenir of Azerbaijan—a little statue showing Azerbaijani musicians playing the traditional Azerbaijani folk instruments. Then the students in her class also gave me gifts—a snow-globe heart with the Shrine of Mecca inside, and a place to hold my pens/pencils, as well as a desk clock with Arabic writing (from the Quran, I believe), but when I asked what it meant, no one knew—here everyone of course speaks and reads Azerbaijani and most also know Russian, but not Arabic. I was overwhelmed at the gifts—and that they even knew about Valentine’s Day, but that is primarily due to the teacher who has had a lot of contact with Peace Corps Volunteers for a number of years. They told me they sought out items they didn’t think I’d easily find in the States!
Last Monday the father in my host family returned from more than three weeks in a sanatorium in Baku. He underwent some ultrasound tests and then weeks of recuperation and rest. Exactly what was wrong is not openly discussed, but he has been declared fine. Upon his return, he brought gifts for everyone—including me! A little candle in a glass lantern.
A week ago Saturday I went to the post office because the post master told another Peace Corps Volunteer to let me know that I had a letter. And so I did, the beautiful save the date photo card from Robby and Audrey! (Caused me even to tear up a bit.) I was on my way to the Teachers Conversation Club of Mingechavir at the time, which is one of the groups I lead. The card presented itself as a good teaching prop—I was able to share it with them and with the teachers from AzETA (Azerbaijan English Teachers Association) who met later in the day with me; I explained some of the skyline of Seattle and the family significance of Kerry Park and its sculpture. One conversation activity I employed required that I leave the room, while the group picked a word or phrase for me to then guess, based on their descriptive clues—a variation of ‘20 Questions.’ They gave me many interesting hints, thereby practicing good English, before I guessed the phrase they had chosen—“getting married!” Aw… In my host family, nine-year-old Farida is a budding artist, and her favorite drawings are of fashion and fashion models...
Farida's depictions of Audrey and Robby...
and those who will be in attendance...
Last week, while working in my room, a student came in to chat, but upon noticing that I was eating a snack, asked me if I was hungry (it was still early in the day). I said, well, yes, and she left the room. A few minutes later she returned with 2 piroshkies and cakes that she had bought from the canteen for me to enjoy! I was so surprised.
As always, these family relationships, personal relationships, the hospitality and generosity of the people provide positive examples of the rewards of Peace Corps service. And more will surely be soon in store, since preparations have started for Azerbaijan's most loved holiday--Novruz! It celebrates the start of Spring, and each of the four Tuesdays leading up to Novruz acknowledges the elements of water, earth, fire, and air. Last Tuesday was water, and tomorrow is earth Tuesday.
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