Adjusting back to Baku

Aside from the jet lag, which feels like it will never end, the hardest thing is just getting your sea legs back to wrapping my mind to being here. Though I have returned to the office this week, I have not been able to be out on the streets just yet, even during the day. It takes a couple of days to bring my senses (visual, audio, and smell) back to this place. I feel an air of uncertainty just navigating around.

I hope the weekend provides me with the space and time to get readjusted. Including doing some light grocery shopping...but I'm loving my baby carrots and string beans (now blanched) that I brought back from USA with me....ummmm good.

The Earthquake in Haiti

Did you hear about the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti...for several reasons I have been very emotional about it...

1) I have many Haitian friends who have family there and I can only imagine what they are feeling.
2) I realize that living in a quake prone place like Azerbaijan...if a major quake hits I'm likely a goner...especially if I'm in my apartment or even our campus. Building codes are non-existent here. I guess I would try to make it to the US Embassy and wait for the Chinooks to fly in from Afghanistan to rescue me. You think?
3) Can Haiti stand many more natural or man-made disasters? The population of that tiny island, estimated at 9 M, is 1 M more than the entire population of Azerbaijan...that amazed me.
4) Fragile infrastructures permit innocent people to die. It could happen here in Azeribaijan. Where will the food and water supplies come from, let alone the heavy machinery to lift the collasped rumble off of those trapped?
5) Even with my stash of USD in my apartment, if disaster strikes here in AZ...the airport will close.....so much for my one way ticket out of town.
6) Inspite of what we think and feel about America and even the horrific aftermath of Katrina...the government does work better than most in protecting us all...

Back to work today

Okay, I was able to drag myself out of bed today at a normal hour and get into the office. Everyone was glad to see me....you know I'm still trying to find the words to describe the cultural atmosphere around ADA. It is very different than the US.. perhaps it is because most nearly everyone, except my big boss are all younger and it's a respect thing. Perhaps it is I think deep down inside many of my colleagues are envious that I am American and live in America...they all love the US...but have no chance of ever living there. The government here makes it tough is you have studied there once, not issue you another visa for at least five years for extended stay...

I handed out lots of bags of M&M chocolates and several boxes of Pepperidge Cookies (Thanks Tam for convincing me to buy them as gifts)...they loved the stuff.

Finally, I opened one of my cans of Chief Boyardee Beefaroni....forgot how yummy it is...

Oh, and guess what...my cable TV is on the blink again....I called the company and they said ...oh, yeah we know maybe by the end of the week it will work again...Inshalleah....you know when Allah is ready, it will happen...

God Bless America

Whew, what a flight back to Baku

After nearly 30 hours and a 9 hour time difference, heavy snow in Frankfurt (delaying flight for 2 hours) and scare of lost luggage I arrived back in my Baku apartment. I originally thought I would go to work on Monday, but I stayed up until 3 am, took a mild sleeping pill and woke at 2pm on Monday afternoon.

Rather than head to the office, I decided to use the day to organize myself, unpack, do laundry and endore my new food booty that I brought back with me. I'm loving all my goods including the fresh stringbeans, baby carrots and cheese...

My last day in Philadelphia was spent having a fabulous BBQ dinner at Favorite Dave's with family and friends....here's a picture of me with Tammy, Sierra and Dakota, Justin and little Jackson....

Back to Baku

Ah, that refrain sounds way to familiar now...but will I be saying on Monday, OMG, I can't believe I'm back in Baku. But I will be dear friends, flying back the weekend of January 9-10th...one, heck of a flight. Philadelphia to Chicago t0 Frankfurt to Baku....in all should take quite some time. But I have lots to occupy my hours....my wonderful memories of being in the US during Christmas, New Year and my birthday.

Once again, I'm returning to the South Caucausas with renewed vigor and determination to be back home again in 10 weeks and ultimately, home for good later this year. Some interesting professional and educational opportunities may just open up for me....will keep you posted and of course, we post regularly from my humble Baku apartment starting on Monday, the 11th.

Cheers

Back in Baku soon!

Like clockwork, I'm starting to feel anixous about returning to Azerbaijan. It's Wednesday and since Monday I have not been able to sleep and just feel my brain, my pulse, etc...working overtime. It doesn't help that I have so many last minute things to attend too. I think it is very gratifying to know that I'll be back in the states for another USA/God Bless America fix in ten weeks.....so I don't have to take five boxes of my favorite Post and General Mills cereals with me.

The return flight is a humdinger ....Philadelphia-Chicago-Frankfurt-Baku.....at least a 36 hour trip with flight time and layovers.....if I don't post again before departing...continue to enjoy paved roads and running potable water....

Thankful for H2O

The list would be long..but running clean water is high on my list....as I've discovered most people in the world don't have this luxury...let's protect our water today and this year.