Gobastan & Mud Volcanoes - Saturday October 22

Not the best planned event, but what can we do. Trainees were informed Friday afternoon that our host family's should pack a lunch for us and to wear comfortable shoes plus bring an extra pair since we will be walking in mud. Friday night, Sumgayit had a horrendous wind storm and some families had no electricity Saturday morning. 

Alas, we met up at 9AM with others (lunch and extra shoes in hand) for marsrutka ride to PC offices where we waited some more and played cards. Then 60+ Americans and 5 Azeris were herded into 2 nice buses and rode south for 1 1/2 hours through Baku to see historical site of 2000+ years old carved petroglyphs. (Incredible sights en route, but no one from Azerbaijan knew anything about the pipelines, oil rigs, market place, industrial sites et al.) Paid 3 manets each for guided tour through small interpretive center (funded by Norwegian NGO) and then walked to see actual ancient carvings.

 My cluster mates Kelly, Lilli, and Dai. Nancy also a cluster mate, but she was eating lunch in the bus!

Due to high winds, we ate our lunches on board buses about 1 PM. Buses then took us to road leading to mud volcanoes, but bus drivers refused to drive buses on very sketchy road. After 40 minute negotiation, all climb into 1 bus for 1/2 mile drive closer to volcanoes, then we hiked 1 1/2 miles up hill to see mud volcanoes. 

Difficult for many to hike but younger male trainees enthusiastic about playing in mud. A beer at the top would have made it worthwhile. Hiked back to buses and started back about 6PM for 1 1/2 hour drive to Sumgayit. PC Trainees broke the "no one out after dark" rule, so needed to call host families that we would be home late. Arrive home via marsrutka about 7:30 and host mom has dolmas and yogurt waiting for me. Better ending for a long day. 

More photos on my picasa album.

This PC Trainee visits Sheki

I have to admit that volunteering has its serendipity moments. Who would have thought that I would have a once in a lifetime experience while serving in a developing country? Monday, I visited a UN-designated World Heritage Site, Xan Saray. Check that off in my 1000 Places to Visit book! 

I drew the coveted AZ location of Sheki for my site visit to stay with a current PC English teacher for a few days. Xan Saray is the last remaining palace of the Khans, and we also went into Caravan Saray, another restored site of historic importance in trade during the 1700's. I'll add a few photos to this blog and send a link to more via my picasa album site.

The site visit is an opportunity to live for a few days the life of an English teacher. Another trainee and I stayed with Irene, an AZ7 PCV who lives with a host family in  a charming house inside a walled compound - typical Azeri yard housing with separate buildings for the toilet, the shower, a large garden, and a chicken coop. This family also has a Winter house and a Summer house ! (Then step outside their gate and a farmer is tending his 3 cows along the cobbled street.)

Irene took us to her school where we answered questions in her English classes. Every PCV teacher has an Azerbaijani counterpart who learns new interactive teaching methods. At the end of each class, we sang a Raffi hit, "Five Little Ducks" and everyone loved the quack, quack, quack part. I laugh to think they'll be singing that song for years to come. FYI - My response to a question about Minnesota was that I live near the Mississippi River.

Best of all, I know I can do this. Pre-service Training is a stress-filled aberration compared to the daily activities and lessons taught in school.  Next week, we start practicum and I'll be standing in front of classes with the Azeri English teacher trying to show that I know what I'm doing. Inshallah - God Willing!