KZ in AZ

Ok I didn’t write this but I wanted to share the glory of living here… Mostly I don’t notice any of this anymore, which is craziness!!!



Explaining to other foreigners where the flavor in lula kabob comes from
Justifying facial hair to locals
Being watched by Ilham and Heydar eyes everywhere you go
Developing community projects to increase your chances of questing
(amongst other reasons of course)
Jumping over a fire and throwing your hat at people to celebrate Spring
Not showering for two weeks at site then twice a day in Baku
Getting stuck in traffic behind various farm animals
Living between a war zone and Iran across from Iraq
Being called "Dollar" at the bazar
Dude on dude "action"
Azeri dudes dancing in front of the mirror whilst admiring themselves in Baku
Bread having more uses than a leatherman
Explaining to locals America is not on the way to Hugary and no you can't take a bus or train there, yet
Answering the same 5 or 6 questions every day
Being called Ingilis everywhere you go
Eating a bowl full of assorted guts
Crapping in a hole sometimes wiping with your hand
Incestual PCV love
Cheap Azeri vodka that can double as nail polish remover
Bone jarring marshrutka rides
Mass anarchy at ATM's- putting in people codes for them

Old traditions

Sitting at the corner of a table means you'll never get married
Sweeping at night is bad luck
The Evil Eye protects you from, evil
Watering the ground to cool it off
Balder dudes are supposed to have more wives
Cold water makes you sick
Wind makes you sick
Sitting on the ground makes you sick/infertile
Stepping on peoples feet should be followed by a handshake
At wedding a normal toast is to wish for the new couple to have 7 boys and 1 girl
Elders get respect
Only young boys are allowed to ride bicycles (for the most part)
Walls are built around houses to "protect" the women
Women generally can't leave the house unless they teach for example
Not throwing bread away, placing it on ledges
Don't put bottles in your pocket
Taking shoes off inside homes
Fruit vodka that can double as rocket fuel
Obtaining running water from a hose in the road across town
Compote which is like Kool-Aid but JACKED UP
Straight grease meals
Crappy houses. Literally made of mud and poop.

Disclaimer: “The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.”