This is my second Thanksgiving, Christmas in Azerbaijan. And... my groups one year anniversary. Its been a great year... a big roller coaster. Lots of ups and downs. At times a little bit scary. But I love roller coasters and I know that when its finished, Im pumped and want to do it again.
Things I've learned so far in my first year in Azerbaijan:
1. Things will be better than you could have imagined:
There will be moments when you're sad, frustrated and alone. You think you can't stumble through another event without a public meltdown or mess up another important conversation because of your barely adequate language skills. There will be moments when you miss your friends and the ability to get a non fat peppermint mocha whenever you want it. There will be moments when you wonder why you would choose this life.
But for everyone of these experiences, you will have many more that are amazing. You will wake up to the fresh white snow making everything new. You will meet amazing people who become friends and challenge you. Your world view will expand by leaps and bounds.You will be shown kindness that will let you know that you are more than a stranger... you are welcome! You will laugh. You will be comforted in your tears. You will grow and change and become a better person.
2. I have learned how important it is to ask for help.
It's fine to ask for directions when you're on vacation... expected even.But in normal life, we tend to be pretty self-sufficient. We learn to do things like pump our own gas, eat watermelon by watching other people do it all our lives. Or failing that, searching for instructional YouTube videos. Either way, we can go it alone.
Not so much when your living in a different culture. No matter what there will be moments when you need to swallow your pride and ask for help with chores that back at home you wouldn't have blinked at. Like buying meat or hooking up the internet or washing clothes by hand for the first time. Its humbling, but you discover that asking for help when you need it is an extremely useful habit.
3. How to question the status-quo.
All those things you grew up thinking were written in stone? Forget about them. There is almost nothing you've learned that is incontestable. Everything from table manners to hygiene is culturally relevant. For example, growing up I had been taught that looking people in the eye is what you want to do. Here, I've been told its considered rude at times. Who knew? So its important to realize that all the little things you've learned that are a solid base for you, may be turned upside down. And once that happens you start to see that there are other, sometimes better ways to do things.
4. Just say yes.
There will be many times when you are completely out of your comfort zone. When you are asked to organize a camp during the hottest part of the summer... say yes. When your host family wants you to eat something that you would never eat at home...say yes. When one of your students asks you to dance with her at a huge public New Year's party, and no one else is dancing... say yes. These things will help you get out of yourself and be some of your best memories.
5.The importance of sharing a meal... or a cup of cay.
If there is enough for one, there is enough for two. Sharing a meal or cay with others can speed up your integration ten-fold.
6. Finding out the good, the bad, and the ugly about yourself.
Any bad habits that you had before that you couldn't see, come to light. Anything that makes you the person you are gets amplified. With any change in your life, you learn to adapt. And with this change you learn more clearly how your actions effect you and those around you.
I hope that I will learn as much during year 2. And I want to say thank you to all of my PCV friends here who are so supportive, fun to hang out with and make the experience a little easier. And to my friends in America, I wouldn't be here if not for you. Thanks so much.
Im going to end this post with something completely different. These are a few pictures of my walk home... a little glimpse into what Sheki looks like. If there's anything you'd like to know about, let me know. Talk to you next week
'
At the city center looking at the Mosque.
Things I've learned so far in my first year in Azerbaijan:
1. Things will be better than you could have imagined:
There will be moments when you're sad, frustrated and alone. You think you can't stumble through another event without a public meltdown or mess up another important conversation because of your barely adequate language skills. There will be moments when you miss your friends and the ability to get a non fat peppermint mocha whenever you want it. There will be moments when you wonder why you would choose this life.
But for everyone of these experiences, you will have many more that are amazing. You will wake up to the fresh white snow making everything new. You will meet amazing people who become friends and challenge you. Your world view will expand by leaps and bounds.You will be shown kindness that will let you know that you are more than a stranger... you are welcome! You will laugh. You will be comforted in your tears. You will grow and change and become a better person.
2. I have learned how important it is to ask for help.
It's fine to ask for directions when you're on vacation... expected even.But in normal life, we tend to be pretty self-sufficient. We learn to do things like pump our own gas, eat watermelon by watching other people do it all our lives. Or failing that, searching for instructional YouTube videos. Either way, we can go it alone.
Not so much when your living in a different culture. No matter what there will be moments when you need to swallow your pride and ask for help with chores that back at home you wouldn't have blinked at. Like buying meat or hooking up the internet or washing clothes by hand for the first time. Its humbling, but you discover that asking for help when you need it is an extremely useful habit.
3. How to question the status-quo.
All those things you grew up thinking were written in stone? Forget about them. There is almost nothing you've learned that is incontestable. Everything from table manners to hygiene is culturally relevant. For example, growing up I had been taught that looking people in the eye is what you want to do. Here, I've been told its considered rude at times. Who knew? So its important to realize that all the little things you've learned that are a solid base for you, may be turned upside down. And once that happens you start to see that there are other, sometimes better ways to do things.
4. Just say yes.
There will be many times when you are completely out of your comfort zone. When you are asked to organize a camp during the hottest part of the summer... say yes. When your host family wants you to eat something that you would never eat at home...say yes. When one of your students asks you to dance with her at a huge public New Year's party, and no one else is dancing... say yes. These things will help you get out of yourself and be some of your best memories.
5.The importance of sharing a meal... or a cup of cay.
If there is enough for one, there is enough for two. Sharing a meal or cay with others can speed up your integration ten-fold.
6. Finding out the good, the bad, and the ugly about yourself.
Any bad habits that you had before that you couldn't see, come to light. Anything that makes you the person you are gets amplified. With any change in your life, you learn to adapt. And with this change you learn more clearly how your actions effect you and those around you.
I hope that I will learn as much during year 2. And I want to say thank you to all of my PCV friends here who are so supportive, fun to hang out with and make the experience a little easier. And to my friends in America, I wouldn't be here if not for you. Thanks so much.
Im going to end this post with something completely different. These are a few pictures of my walk home... a little glimpse into what Sheki looks like. If there's anything you'd like to know about, let me know. Talk to you next week
'
Walking past the local park
The bus stop where I can catch a bus to the university.
Water run off that I pass everyday on the way home. I love the sound of rushing water
The water tower near my house. It is a landmark that tells me its time to turn.
Getting closer.
The street my house is on.
The beginning of the last hill going home
Getting closer
Mine is the last door on the left
I live in the upstairs of a two story. The windows are my kitchen.
This is the front door.
The yard facing away from the house, toward the toilet.
The landlords live on the bottom floor to the right. The stairs are going up to my place
In Azerbaijan, you take your shoes off before entering.
Inside my kitchen. That my petch which is my heat source in the winter. My petch is my best friend right now.
