![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
“Do we gaze at the stars because we’re human; or are we human because we gaze at the stars.”
Happy New Year everyone! Here in Azerbaijan there is no Christmas but there is a Santa-looking guy whose name translates to snow-grandpa. I posted a picture below of the happy New Year sign in the center of Goycay. There were also these mice everywhere in town singing and dancing. I was quite confused about this for a while until I inquired about it and was told it is the Chinese New Year, year of the mouse. Apparently that is a huge deal here and was very refreshing to me.
It has been snowing for over a week now!! I have very much enjoyed the snow except for a few of the side effects:
1. Pipes have frozen throughout the country and thus there is no water. Yes, I had to boil snow in order to wash my hair.
2. There is ice everywhere and it makes it very hard to walk anywhere.
3. It is as cold as snow outside and only a few degree’s warmer inside because there is no real heating systems. So I am frozen all the time.
4. Because offices are mostly closed for snow days all the men are outside with big riffles needlessly shooting very small birds. These are not birds that people are going to eat; in fact mostly the dead birds are just left fallen on the streets. I believe this is unfortunate as it seems to be mostly the result of boredom.
My host brother got engaged and I went and photographed his engagement party. That was a fun family bonding experience. I have also been busy writing grants, crocheting my blanket, and taking snow pictures. Below you will find a picture of one of many statues of the Azeri former leader Heydar Aliev with a “Snow-fro” which tickled my funny bone. The last picture is Carley and I in the snowfall.
I wanted to give a special hello to my Grandma Pat who is regularly reading my blog and sent me a wonderful letter/holiday card, thank you!! She asked me what my biggest challenge is? Well that’s a good question, I really feel like I’m adapting very well to the social changes. I feel like my work is challenging, I have been mainly writing grants and teaching English. I believe since I’ve been here my biggest challenge has been the treatment of the environment over here. I remember it being the biggest culture shock idem when I arrived, being that if you have trash of any kind you drop it wherever you are. Also, those people that do collect trash burn it piles on the street releasing toxic fumes. So what have I done about it? Well I have begun environment project design and education. Moreover, I have been elected to the AZ Environment committee to work on mobilizing all volunteers in Azerbaijan to move towards action.
Love you all, hope to hear from you soon!
Kat Zig
Disclaimer: “The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.”
It has been snowing for over a week now!! I have very much enjoyed the snow except for a few of the side effects:
1. Pipes have frozen throughout the country and thus there is no water. Yes, I had to boil snow in order to wash my hair.
2. There is ice everywhere and it makes it very hard to walk anywhere.
3. It is as cold as snow outside and only a few degree’s warmer inside because there is no real heating systems. So I am frozen all the time.
4. Because offices are mostly closed for snow days all the men are outside with big riffles needlessly shooting very small birds. These are not birds that people are going to eat; in fact mostly the dead birds are just left fallen on the streets. I believe this is unfortunate as it seems to be mostly the result of boredom.
My host brother got engaged and I went and photographed his engagement party. That was a fun family bonding experience. I have also been busy writing grants, crocheting my blanket, and taking snow pictures. Below you will find a picture of one of many statues of the Azeri former leader Heydar Aliev with a “Snow-fro” which tickled my funny bone. The last picture is Carley and I in the snowfall.
I wanted to give a special hello to my Grandma Pat who is regularly reading my blog and sent me a wonderful letter/holiday card, thank you!! She asked me what my biggest challenge is? Well that’s a good question, I really feel like I’m adapting very well to the social changes. I feel like my work is challenging, I have been mainly writing grants and teaching English. I believe since I’ve been here my biggest challenge has been the treatment of the environment over here. I remember it being the biggest culture shock idem when I arrived, being that if you have trash of any kind you drop it wherever you are. Also, those people that do collect trash burn it piles on the street releasing toxic fumes. So what have I done about it? Well I have begun environment project design and education. Moreover, I have been elected to the AZ Environment committee to work on mobilizing all volunteers in Azerbaijan to move towards action.
Love you all, hope to hear from you soon!
Kat Zig
Disclaimer: “The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.”
Comments