Therewillbe.tablesandchairs.andponyrides.

Go Ganja softball! 2-1 in our first tournament!

A disclaimer: I do not normally eat peanut butter a). directly from the jar or b). with my fingers. However, when you have made the forgetful decision to skip lunch-packing for a three game tournament, you must take the consequences--that is, settling for the jar of half-eaten peanut butter you accidentally left in the "Baku bag."


I have recently moved into what will ultimately develop into an independent living condition. This change is cause for great rejoicing and merriment as I tend to be something of a novice hermit when it comes to my preferred living conditions. While I think of myself as a fairly ordinary person with few to no quirks that would scare off a potential roommate I do enjoy sleeping, doing yoga, and other daily routines to go unnoticed by anyone not expressly selected by yours truly. Additionally, the opportunity to try my Trader Joe's coffee, sesame seed oil, and curry powder (courtesy of my sainted parents) makes the prospect an independent and vegetarian kitchen something of a dream. One more thing: I am not sure what the world record for moving time is but I should look as this very day, it took three people three minutes to move my things from host family house to car (including walking and packing time). A testament to my superhuman organization and/or physical dexterity? No! In truth, I have not fully unpacked my bags since I came to Ganja. In any case, with all of the craziness of starting new clubs and classes, finding a place to live makes me feel not unlike the individual who came up with the post-it.

One of the challenges of living in Azerbaijan as a twenty-something Peace Corps Volunteer is that instead of feeling like a character on "Friends" one is likely to resemble a member of "The Survivor" crew. However, unlike "the Survivor," I do not wish my fellow volunteers to leave "the island" nor do I secretly wish that they meet their end on the loosing end of a fight with a jellyfish. On the contrary, I am greatly saddened at the prospect of saying "yaxşı yol" (translated as "good road") to a series of AZ 5 and 6 friends over the next few months as they make their way back to America and/or destinations unknown. Perhaps it has been the prospect of such good-byes as well as my new living situation that compel me to consider adopting some parakeets (or "budgies" as the website calls them). I had first run across the birds in a local pet shop not far from the library where I run conversation clubs. Amongst the squabble of 30+ birds per space was a small little green bird laying at the bottom of the cage. He appeared to have a broken leg and was being jostled and troubled by his countrybirds who had little to no compassion for his condition. As it was, I developed something of a solidarity with this invalid, whom I later named George. I pledged to adopt him and nurse him back to health. Unfortunately, the timing was a little off and I had to go to Baku for a training and a series of meetings, thus delaying the exodus. When I returned, it seemed that George had either flown the coop or kicked the proverbial water cup. As it is, I am still trying to decide what to do. The man at the pet shop is prepared to let me buy two birds (apparently they work best in pairs) and keep them at the shop in their own cage until I cleared it with the landlord and made the necessary arrangements. Of course, the inevitable Peace Corps questions looms: healthy and plentiful food and saving money for home OR fun, feathered friends? Additionally, there is the question of sustainability. It is an oddity when a pair of birds from Australia remind you in no uncertain terms of that famous PCV training truth: "you will not actually be here forever. What are you going to do with this project when you are leave?" As it is, the birds are still waiting but I might break down and make the purchase tomorrow. With all of the problems and challenges in this world, I am troubled with the question of whether birds can get passports...

Must run for now. More news to come!

With Peace, love, and warm wishes to all,
Beth