Still enjoying the glow of Istanbul

It's amazing how my time in Baku has given me opportunity to understand the culture of a post-communist society and even through something as simple as a queing line, the color of an outfit and the height of a heel seem Orwellian, all are evident in Azerbaijan . For many of the young and enlightened it's understandable why Azeris enjoy Turkey as it is a delightful distraction from day-to-day often chaotic life in Azerbaijan.

A couple of other photos from Istanbul and I'll be sure begin to let go and accept my reality of being in a very, very hot Baku....it was 102 degrees yesterday.....and nearly as hot today. The photo of beautiful marble wall is inside the St. Sophia Basilica built by Constantine the Great in 4th century and later rebuilt and named Haghia Sophia as a Islamic mosque, I think in the 6th century...during which time many of the Christian symbols were covered (interestingly not destroyed). This angel was covered over and recently uncovered...in fact, when I was there in November the workers had the scaffolding up 14 stories inside working to uncover this image...there are still three more that need to be exposed. Have you noticed that I rarely post photos (or take photos) with people in it...ummmm...more on that next time...

Up close and personal with a camel..well not too close

During my cousin's visit we had opportunity to explore some places in Baku and Azerbaijan including the Carpet Museum and historical site in Gala ( a region about 35 miles away)...the carpets I've seen before and the country is still working on resolving how best to display its precious works...nailing them to a wall is probably not the best way to showcase carpets...you think...and the Gala Museum, a collection of archaelogical artifacts...mixed in with a little of everything else...all in the blazing sun. It's been over 100 degrees here for several weeks....ugh

Photos from tornado in Carlisle

Finally, I am able to upload some photos....first the tornado...three days before leaving PA to return to Baku the northeast was struck by a series of major storms....Tammy and I were in the house and as I went to check on the second floor porch...I thought I was Dorothy...I screamed for her to run to the basement....just as the sky was a black I've never seen before...we both ran to the basement after a few minutes (probably seconds) the sky was blue again...when we looked around...our front tree, a hundred year old oak, lost a couple of large branches right on top of a neighbor's Saab smashing the car's roof and destroying the rear window and a tree in the back came down on our fence....lots of other damage as the reported 60-80 miles weather event cut a path through our neighborhood...no one injured and I guess that's why we have home owner insurance....for the fence...the car...his insurance...act of God so we're not liable....

In Istanbul again

I'm in Istanbul again this time with my cousin Bernice who is visiting with me in Baku. We came here for 2.5 days and then returning to Baku where she will begin her journey back to NJ. Istanbul is much more crowded than when I was here last November...hundreds, thousands, well, millions by there standards of tourists. It is so interesting to see folks from places that you can only guess where they might be from...now living in Central Asia and traveling more around the region I can tell an Uzbek from an Azeri from a Turk from a Georgia from a Russia....the same way an astute person can tell a Korea from a Japanese from a Chinese. Russia and China are such vast countries...it is interesting to see those from regions that border those countries....
BTW...I lost my USB cord that would enable me to upload pictures I hope to find one some where in Istanbul or I'll have to wait for a shipment from the US...so sorry for the absence of photos..

Heat wave, my cousin and Secretary Clinton

Okay, I'll admit it is hot here...yesterday 104 degrees and today even hotter. Thank goodness the Bakuvian winds have stopped...felt like a blow torch over the weekend. I don't think I mentioned this but first cousin (actually the oldest cousin on my mother's side)...came back to Baku with me. Bernice is quite a traveler and so far has enjoyed Baku and the sights.
We are going to Istanbul for 2.5 days later this week before she returns to the US on the 10th.

Secretary Clinton arrived in Baku on the 4th for a few hours...she met with the President and other officials. I learned that 25% of the non-combat supplies used in Afghanistan come through Azerbaijan...so you can see why this little nation has huge strategic importance to the US. Clinton also expressed the US' position on ending the frozen conflict with Armenia over the occupied terrority Nagorno Karabakh and the continued imprisonment of the two young men charged with hooliganism for spoofing the President in a video widely seen on Youtube. And, yes, you can be charged with hooliganism here and receive prison time like five years...
Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday! I wore my Old Navy 2009 t-shirt with a Old Glory all day on the 4th...felt kinda good and patriotic!

Shout out to my readers

Of course, I appreciate all of you who stop by to read my postings...but a special shout out to a couple of you...

Beth F....thanks for keeping up with me
'Stella......you've always been there...the W...ummm
Romona....my NY'er...thanks for keeping me real
Ericka.....my law school colleague....

And, to all of you ....thanks and more to follow ...always...

I have no clout

Secretary Hiliary Clinton is going to be in Baku, yes, Baku, tomorrow....and I thought I was all that but obviously, I ain't....couldn't get a ticket on the 4th of July....I'm bummed. I guess I'll do the next best possible Americana thang....going to McDonald's for fries and a coke!

Happy Holidays...and whether or not you're a believer...go out and sing and shout....Born in the USA......and better yet, living in the USA.

Oh...let me add some humor....returning to the apartment...the elevator doors would not open on my floor...the 9th...so I go back down to 8....get off and walk my luggage up the flight....the next morning....I walk down (I usually do anyway)...went to the building office...made enough gestures and comments in Azeri...to get the guy to follow me back to the building. We got in the elevator, I pressed 9....we go up the doors don't open...he looks at me and then pounds, pounds...on the inside doors ....they open...and he shrugs his shoulders...I press 1 and we go back down. Needless to say...I'm walking up and down the stairs for now...whoa!