Yeni Iliniz Munarek!

Today after school I had my New Years party with both of my 6th grade classes! The theme was "New Years Around the World," and we had spent the whole month exploring New Years in Australia, China, Azerbaijan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil and the United States. My original plan was to have a play, but for reasons out of my control that idea was shot down. Lucky for me, because this party was one for the record books!
We had tons of foods, drinks, decorations and music as 40 students and teachers and I had a real Azerbaijani New Year, while learning about what other countries do around the world. Azerbaijani New Year actually quite resembles our Christmas as it turns out. "Shaxta Baba," aka Santa Claus comes on New Years Eve at midnight and fills their "Yolka," or tree (like a Christmas Tree) with presents. Shaxta Baba has the help of "Qar Giz," Snow Girl, as he travels around New Years Eve.
The classes were split into groups and each made a poster with drawings and maps of the country they were learning about. Each group gave their presentation (in Azeri, I gave them the info in English and we worked out in translations, pictures and acting what it meant and they took notes in Azeri), then I played music that I had found from each country, we all danced a little, gave the group a big round of applause and then the next group went. We started with Australia and made our way around the world. Uncle Mark, you will be happy to know that I used "We Will Rock You" as the US's New Years song, it reminded me of growing up :).
Mason, Marie, Connie and our newest site-mate, AZ8 Alise, came to help, watch, eat lots of food and have a good time at the party! Mason is helping here with "Pin the Carrot on the Snowman." It was a really big hit with the teachers and students alike, and a good win for me! Now I'm off the Georgia to celebrate Christmas and New Years! Happy Holidays everyone! And its never to early to say, Yeni Iliniz Mubarek (Happy New Years!)!!!!!

Party Time!

Today we had an end of 2010 teachers party just for girls :). There was a lot of dancing, singing, eating and drinking tea. I was the designated photographer and entertainer. And now I am SO full! I'm not eating dinner tonight haha.

Yes, It Is True

Fire really does come from the ground in Baku.

All of us PCV's were invited to a Thanksgiving party at the US Ambassador's house hosted by the charge d' affaires (there's no Ambassador at this time). Mason and I had the opportunity to go to a play at The International School in Baku with some new friends so we came in a day early. The play was so much fun! And the next day we got a tour of parts of Baku we hadn't gone before, including to this "Mountain of Fire." Its more like a hill, but yes, it is just naturally burning from the ground. There used to be more places like this all over the Baku area, but the drilling of oil has dried most of them up. The Thanksgiving party was great too! So much food, it felt like home! I even had to unbutton my pants after eating :). Now I'm working on a New Year's performance/party at school and then its off to Georgia for Christmas!

Gurban Bayram Break

With a week off of school for the Islamic holiday of sacrificing sheep, I was able to travel down to Lankaran and Lerik. The fall colors up in the Talysh Mountains, where Lerik is located, were absolutely amazing! Took my breath away; I love fall :)
Look what I found in the Lankaran bazaar guys!? This man made two keys for me and I felt right at home watching and listening to him do it. Mason and I explained that my family has a machine like this at home and he was happy to be a part of many pictures.
Later, up in Lerik, a German journalist came to do research for a story she was writing on the longevity of life in Lerik. So we all went out on the hunt and tracked down this man, Kishi who is somewhere between 105 and 145 years old, haha.
And this precious woman who is 112, with documents to prove it!
In both cases these people did not speak English, Azeri or Russian. They both only spoke Talysh, a language little known to the world and we had to have their worlds translated into Azeri so that we could translate them into English, so that they could be put into German! This is Mehbuba's, the old lady's, son with Mason; he was our Talysh translator here. We had quite the day! One for the journal and book to come ;) If you want to read a more in depth story about our day check out the tourism blog that Mason has created for his business, CBT Azerbaijan, in Lerik. Its definitely worth a read! And it has more pictures :)

Friendship Bracelets

Collecting Fruit

Yesterday at Zeynab's we spent the day getting a package ready to send on the train to her husband in Russia. It was quite the process- Mom, have I said thank you enough for all the work you've put into packages coming here!?!?!-and it wasn't complete without persimmons. We went out to the garden to collect some to wrap up. This is Zeynab in the tree throwing persimmons down as her daughter and I collected them.
Going to Zeynab's is always fun for me, they are my Azerbaijani family. But yesterday was exceptionally fun, I can't really explain why :). And the day ended with a beautiful sunset! This picture doesn't even capture the pink that was in the sky.

Heat

Ahhh yes. Its like summer in here with my new pech (heater). No more 7 pairs of socks, 3 scarfs and gloves to hang out in my house. And just think, its only just November; good thing it got here now! Made in 1980 this metal box is built to last and my entryway and bedroom are really heatin' up now!