Final Softball.

As you might know, I've been involved with Azerbaijani softball since the first season I was actually a volunteer. I've written about it a few times and I hope I've conveyed how much this project has meant to me. I absolutely love softball and thoroughly enjoy the time I get to spend with the kids I get to through it. I've seen this project through 4 seasons (Spring and Fall) and, sadly, this season was my last.

This season's end was completed with a national softball tournament in Bilasuvar and one last scrimmage back in Mingechevir.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the first day of the Bilasuvar tournament, but I was able to make it for the evening's PCV game, the sleepover at the Olympic Complex, and the second day's games. Mingechevir is a very strong team and has yet to lose in a tournament. There are many reasons for their strength... they know the rules, we have quite a few people that have been on the team since my first season and, well, they're older than a couple of the other teams. I was met with the news that they did not lose in the day's games and they also did not lose the second day's ones though the championship game against Gence was quite tense and had our team nervous. Champions since the inception. Glad it wasn't in my years that that proverbial ball was dropped...

We returned to Mingechevir and organized a final scrimmage since me and Laura are out of Mingechevir soon. Seeing the team organized for probably the last time was incredible. I met a lot of these guys 2 years ago when I was a brand new volunteer adjusting to all that is here and, now, I'm saying goodbye. I've seen them grow and they've seen me do the same. We've laughed, played, learned, etc. I think I've somewhat expressed to many of you my frustrations here being a woman and dealing with men, but these guys... they've always been the source I go to when I'm looking for an Azeri male that does not fit within those frustrations.

I miss it already.

Day 22.

Being in the UK really hasn't done much for me blogwise. It's a lot more difficult to make comparisons with Azerbaijan and the UK than it was Azerbaijan and Turkey. I can say, though, being completely honest, that I sort of miss Azerbaijan. Who would've thought?

Well, that was the case. Until I finally made it into legit English countryside where things are once again quaint and simple. Better yet, it's minus the harrassment.

I guess, though, at the end of the day, my life is in Azerbaijan and I do find myself wanting to be back there in my routine with my people. The UK has been great for catching up with some people from my America life, but I think I have a good few back "home" that I need to catch up with, as well.

A Turkish Dialect.

Traveling in Turkey has been a breeze. Living and serving in Azerbaijan has given me the language skills to get around and be decently understood by many Turkish people. There are, of course, some things that don’t cross over, but a lot of what I need has worked out well enough.

Azerbaijani is actually quite idiomatic and that type of language doesn’t cross over. When I don’t understand something, I say so in Azeri, but end up saying (literally translated) ‘it falls off my head’. Also, on top of that, while in Azerbaijan, I’ve picked up some random Russian, which obviously doesn’t work out for me here. Aside from that, my pronunciation sounds a bit funny here because some sounds are different. I'm convinced I sound like a redneck.

What I’ve discovered, though, is that when I speak Azeri to people here, they’re a bit shocked I’m speaking anything resembling Turkish and are happy to be a little more patient to get through a conversation. I’ve had some lovely chats throughout Turkey and have gotten more free tea and other random little presents because of it.

Thanks, Azerbaijan.

The Year of 2 Thanksgivings.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Top 3, at the very least. I've always been fond of the day, but a few years ago I experienced a Thanksgiving that I will never forget. Ever since that lovely Thanksgiving I find that I look forward to the next one with much anticipation. Last year was my first Thanksgiving in Azerbaijan, but this year was my first real Thanksgiving in Azerbaijan. And, I had 2 of them! I definitely made up for my McDonalds Thanksgiving last year (though it was still nice in its own taste of America kind of way).

My first Thanksgiving was the Peace Corps' Thanksgiving - the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Almost all of my group went to Baku to celebrate at the Charge D'affaires' place. It was a wonderful and generous invitation for him to extend. Meredith, the Country Director, and he provided turkeys and drinks and all the volunteers brought everything else - potluck style. Everything was delicious. We were all also able to stay with American Embassy workers and families. I cannot even begin to express how amazing the family I stayed with was. They were warm, welcoming, friendly and truly American. I was finally able to be in a family dynamic again and I realized how much I miss it. My stay with the family was more incredible than I ever imagined it to be. Not only was it a slice of America family wise,

it was also a complete revisit to the amenities and lifestyle I once took for granted. For the first time in over a year, I was able to use a washer... and a dryer! I currently smell like Bounce fabric softener and it is glorious! It was spectacular to catch up with old friends, eat incredible food, spend some time in Baku, meet new people, and watch a fabulous talent show (that included a speedo, Disney tunes, and human pyramids).

Mingechevir also had our own little Thanksgiving on the actual day. We did another potluck event and I made stuffing and mac and cheese. There was a good amount of more great food and I am still full! It was nice to have a small event after our huge Baku get together and spend quality time with those I spend so much time with. We also had 2 guests, but it was still intimate and great. Not only did I get to eat more yummy food and hang out with people I enjoy, I was also able to Skype my family back home and see everyone! Everyone! I saw my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and the baby! It was the first time I was able to see the baby and my brother as a dad. It was nice to "see" them and spend some of both our holidays with each other, even though we're worlds away.

This year I have a lot to be thankful for. I've come a long way in a year even though, at times, it feels like I've gone no where at all. My support networks are strong and I know I have stellar people in both of my worlds, friends and family. Being with my American Embassy family, I realized I'm able to find wonder in the simple things that exist back home. I have beautiful people in my life in Azerbaijan ranging from my first host family to expat friends and, of course, my Peace Corps family. And, finally, I have an incredible amount of things and opportunities to look forward to in the future. Who knows where I'll be or what I'll be planning on doing a year from now, but I'm thankful for all the prospects - as scary as they may be.

It's Always Sunny in Mingechevir (Unless Amy Comes)

As many of you know, I live in Mingechevir, Azerbaijan.  And, as much complaining as I can potentially do (by base fact of being in Azerbaijan), I cannot complain much regarding the city I'm in.  

Last week, we had IST (in-service training) and where 'training' is debatable, it was a good time to see fellow volunteers and all be in one little area for a bit.  So, there half of us were, in Gence, and it turned into something that we all probably expected it to - a venting session.  

Now, how do I put this out there without sounding like Mingechevir residents have that certain air of superiority... we love our city.  Granted, our working situations are on par with other volunteers, but we are all certainly quite happy about where it is we live.  This is not meant to say others aren't happy, but we noticed a difference.

So, during and after IST, I've been thinking about why it is we like Mingechevir so much and thought it would be good to put out into the blog world for my family, friends, and AZ7s (to show that your site directly impacts the type of experience you have).  Before reading the list, please realize all this is in AZ standards!  The awesome bumper cars are awesome, but they also look like death traps (and probably would never be qualified as safe in America).

First of all, we lucked out.  That's all there is to that one.  We got put in a site where 4 sitemates already were.  So, with the incoming 4, that makes 8 people for Mingechevir.  I have 7 great sitemates which, most assuredly, effects my quality of life.  I do not know how we would have survived host family living without our weekly hub nights.  Piggybacking off of luck, we all were able to find apartments for independent living.  It proved to be a difficult task for sitemate Bev when she moved here (6 weeks of searching!), but we were all able to find a place and be moved in within a week of being able.

Secondly, it doesn't always feel like Azerbaijan.  We all know we're in Azerbaijan, but, sometimes, the feel is something different.  We have trash cans throughout the park (and some people use them)! Other volunteers have

 commented on this.

Thirdly, we get visitors and visitors make Azerbaijan feel a little bit smaller when we're all spread out throughout this country.  Agsu Rachel comes a lot and Agdash Brandon can hop a bus and make it a day trip.  It seems like at least every other weekend we have someone here, so that's really nice.  Speaking of visitors, though, it seems clustermate/Guba Amy is the Eeyore of Azerbaijan and makes any sunny day a bit tutqun (gloomy).

Fourthly, our environment.  

We have a cool little area of Azerbaijan here.  No, we don't have those beautiful and soaring mountains, but we do have foothills, a reservoir, a riverwalk (a smidge reminiscent of Wilmington! and has cotton candy), the Kur river (for paddle boats and possibly kayaks), nice parks (with benches), and rides, really random rides.  Lately I've been commenting on how awesome we are because of our bumper cars and swings, and I still think that's totally true.

And, lastly, for the group here, it's a good fit.

 Mingechevir isn't too big, but it isn't too small.  We have a nice bazaar and can get random products we might want.  There's a built in support network since there are quite a few of us.  We have little traditions and enjoy, for the most part, spending time with each other, but we still get plenty of 'me' time.  And, we're all able to find a key Azerbaijani counterpart who's cool to hang out with and is a vital resource for any of our endeavors.

Of course, every site has it's bad parts like the constant harassment, work-related frustrations, the post office, cultural norms and breaking them... but, especially on the blog, I don't like to focus on that and would rather highlight the positive in this random part of the world I had never heard of before.  

Life... it's funny how we get to the places we end up.

(New P.S. I don't know why the font changes.  I tried to fix it, but with no luck).