“Never doubt that a
small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world. It’s the
only thing that ever has.”
This is my 10th
day in Sheki. And my first day home all day. Im sitting in my room with a
shirt, sweater, jacket and hat on. (also 2 pair of socks and a hat) The petch
(gas heater) is going making things a little warmer. I’ve discovered the amount
of time it takes clothes to dry when you hang them on the clothes line in the
winter… forever! (I’ve started to move clothes in a few at a time and am
hanging them near the petch.) Im fighting off a bit of a cold I think. There
has been no water all day because the pipes froze last night. (hopefully soon,
I definitely need a shower) The first snow has been falling all weekend. It is
very cold, icy (no salt on the sidewalks and roads, so very slippery… I think
an embarrassing fall is inevitable) My host mother has been cooking blintchkes
(Im sure I messed up the spelling… Russian word that sort of sounds like
blitzes). They are very delicious. Its beautiful outside. I love the
students and I am content!!!!
I have a really
wonderful site. The other 4 new volunteers in Sheki from my group got together
yesterday, wandered the bazaar in the snow, had the best doner Ive had here
(street food…. Thin strips of meet in bread or lavash… which is like a
tortilla) and just caught up on our first week. Last night, the 2 volunteers
who have been here for a year had us over . We said goodbye to the AZ8
volunteer who is leaving on Tuesday and planned a Christmas in Sheki. I am very
lucky to be at a site with 2 volunteers who know the ropes and are going out of
their way to welcome us.
I had a very busy week
at the university. I sat in many classes, gave suggestions, talked with
students and began conversation clubs. (they practice English, I teach life
skills) The students are eager to learn so far and the teachers are very
welcoming. I have a great host family!!!
The only thing missing
is my friends/ family from America. I miss all of you. It’s a week before
Christmas and Im already thinking about Christmas Eve services, hot apple
cider, having a stocking that “santa” lovingly filled and a Christmas feast
with a family who took me in and treated me like one of their family. And the
kids at River Rock…. I miss talking with them. All and all, I am very blessed.
Family/ friends in America and being able to participate in something I love in
Azerbaijan. I just hope I am able to
contribute something good here… with God’s help. Inshallah!
More next weekend. Christmas
is my favorite time of year, so Im sure next week’s blog will be even more
mushy and sentimental.
Merry almost Christmas
My room
pictures of home and Africa
My family's bear
The best thing in my room... my gas petsch which goes whoosh when I light it.
The beginning of my walk to work
almost to the university
The haman at the university. This is great for school standards
The view from the teachers lounge
Conversation club
Wood petsch in the teachers lounge
The beginning of the first day of snow at the bazaar. I think this dress will need some dry cleaning
Sheki AZ10's reuniting and catching up after week 1
Dave and John carrying our new storage units home.
my house when I came out of my bedroom yesterday morning
Jack trying to stay warm
At Kathy's house last night
My host sister cooking lunch
Everything from scratch today
pipes are frozen, spare water heating
Yum. Its like a cassadilla except with greens in it instead of cheese
From right outside my bedroom door
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