Hi everyone,
Ok, first things first. My number is: 0513791964. Country code 994. I would put it on the side of my blog, but when I pulled up the blog, all of the directions are in Azeri, so I'll have to get someone to figure it out with me next time (I got lucky finding the post) We have an address for mailing for training, but Im not sure what it is. I will get it from PC when I see them tomorrow and put it on this blog next time... and this address will change when I get to my permanant site.
Today I am in Sumqayit. We arrived in Azerbaijan on Saturday, stayed there until Tuesday in our very plush rooms and had orientation. We moved in with our host families yesterday. They gave us about 2 hours worth of language before going. All I could say without reading from my notes was: Salam, (hello) Necesiniz (How are you) Yax Siyam (I am fine) Manim adim Merrilldir (my name is Merrill ) Sizin adiniz nadiz What is your name, Cox sadam (Im pleased to meet you) Otherwise, I had to read my notes, look in the dictionary , point etc.. (on a side note, pc azerbaijan has a couple of good english-azerbaijan dictionaries... which is a great change from Lesotho)
My host family is great. A grannie who is 77, host mom, 48 and 2 kids both in university. One boy and girl. They have both just started working on English and try to help with the language. My host mom works in the metro in the city and is on vacation. I have a big room (all of the family has moved into 1 room, which I feel sort of bad about) a real flush toilet (picture me wanting really bad to start dancing when I saw it) and hot/ cold shower. I know, just delaying the inevitable.... which happened today as I used my first squat toilet in Sumqayit. It was fine. Doable... no relaxing in the bathroom though. My PST (pre service training ) host family is great. They have had 2 other pcv's before me (one from New York and one from Texas) and are very patient with me, teaching me new words, letting me know how happy they are to have me. It was great to finally unpack (only have to move the mountain of luggage again one more time... when pst is over in 10 weeks) I fell asleep to the sound of prayer in the local Muslim Mosque which was haunting and beautiful... and very different. You aren't in Kansas anymore Toto!
My LCF (language cultual facilitator) is very nice. Her name is Zuleha (spelled phonetically, I dont know the Azeri alphabet yet) and she is the one facillitator wearing a Hajib and covered with clothing from head to toe. I have a lot of respect, because it is hot (mid 80's) and very, very humid. So knowing the sweat is pouring off of all of us, I respect that she stays so calm and patient... cause she has to be hot. She is our mother, brother, father and sister for the next 10 weeks. If we need someone, she's the one we call.
We start training full on tomorrow. 4 hours a day of language and 4 hours a day of technical training. Bring it on!! (although, Im already exhausted!)
I miss all of you. Next time I post I will be prepared with pictures. RR youth, be good, have fun, do well is school and know that I miss you! (but not necessarily in that order)
sagol helolix (good bye)
Merrill
Ok, first things first. My number is: 0513791964. Country code 994. I would put it on the side of my blog, but when I pulled up the blog, all of the directions are in Azeri, so I'll have to get someone to figure it out with me next time (I got lucky finding the post) We have an address for mailing for training, but Im not sure what it is. I will get it from PC when I see them tomorrow and put it on this blog next time... and this address will change when I get to my permanant site.
Today I am in Sumqayit. We arrived in Azerbaijan on Saturday, stayed there until Tuesday in our very plush rooms and had orientation. We moved in with our host families yesterday. They gave us about 2 hours worth of language before going. All I could say without reading from my notes was: Salam, (hello) Necesiniz (How are you) Yax Siyam (I am fine) Manim adim Merrilldir (my name is Merrill ) Sizin adiniz nadiz What is your name, Cox sadam (Im pleased to meet you) Otherwise, I had to read my notes, look in the dictionary , point etc.. (on a side note, pc azerbaijan has a couple of good english-azerbaijan dictionaries... which is a great change from Lesotho)
My host family is great. A grannie who is 77, host mom, 48 and 2 kids both in university. One boy and girl. They have both just started working on English and try to help with the language. My host mom works in the metro in the city and is on vacation. I have a big room (all of the family has moved into 1 room, which I feel sort of bad about) a real flush toilet (picture me wanting really bad to start dancing when I saw it) and hot/ cold shower. I know, just delaying the inevitable.... which happened today as I used my first squat toilet in Sumqayit. It was fine. Doable... no relaxing in the bathroom though. My PST (pre service training ) host family is great. They have had 2 other pcv's before me (one from New York and one from Texas) and are very patient with me, teaching me new words, letting me know how happy they are to have me. It was great to finally unpack (only have to move the mountain of luggage again one more time... when pst is over in 10 weeks) I fell asleep to the sound of prayer in the local Muslim Mosque which was haunting and beautiful... and very different. You aren't in Kansas anymore Toto!
My LCF (language cultual facilitator) is very nice. Her name is Zuleha (spelled phonetically, I dont know the Azeri alphabet yet) and she is the one facillitator wearing a Hajib and covered with clothing from head to toe. I have a lot of respect, because it is hot (mid 80's) and very, very humid. So knowing the sweat is pouring off of all of us, I respect that she stays so calm and patient... cause she has to be hot. She is our mother, brother, father and sister for the next 10 weeks. If we need someone, she's the one we call.
We start training full on tomorrow. 4 hours a day of language and 4 hours a day of technical training. Bring it on!! (although, Im already exhausted!)
I miss all of you. Next time I post I will be prepared with pictures. RR youth, be good, have fun, do well is school and know that I miss you! (but not necessarily in that order)
sagol helolix (good bye)
Merrill
Wow, Merrill! Such a change from Folsom, eh? ;) I know you are embracing it, though. Thanks for the great updates.
ReplyDelete-Melanie Harding