Outpouring of Love

I have been dew eyed for a couple of days as the outpouring of goodbyes and farewells continue to be directed at me....my boss-boss, the Ambassador hosted a grand dinner for me last night and made a very touching speech. He even remarked that as he and I are the only grey-haired folks among the 50 staff/faculty that he was really sorry to see me go!
I suggested we write a book together about the founding of ADA...that's a very popular and highly respectable endeavor here in Azerbaijan. Otherwise, how would you chronicle a history of a nation that is only twenty years old...

Photos frrom my 'hood continue

The old Soviet style buildings have some terrific faces sitting stories in the air and I've just loved looking up to capture some of the scenes here in Baku. The teeth are quite impressive..how a piece of the tongue feel off...who knows. Additionally, newer construction, on the left is a building that sits in the very tiny Jewish community area which is only about one block or so. It has been told to me that there are about twenty or so Orthodox families in Baku.

Urban Renewal Baku Style

Still attempting to capture images of my everyday surroundings and this includes the continued demolition of blocks and blocks close to my apartment. From what I've been told this extensive urban project will result in a grand plaza/park something like the Mall in Washington, DC...stretching for blocks. A number of people remained living in buildings destined for the wrecking ball and I guess this weekend their deadline was up and literally, I watched as people scrambled to save their belongings just as the buildings were coming down. I decided not to take photos of people in such distress rather my photos are of what they were walking away from.

Global facts and 633 days in Azerbaijan

Today marks my 633rd day in Azerbaijan..well could be one or two more...I've lost count..
Global facts:
Climate change...saw a report yesterday...it is relatively cold in Moscow even during the summer...here's a little tidbit...in 2009 there were 0 days above 30 C (which is about 86 F)...get this..in 2010 there were 30 days of 30 or above. The toll on human life and forest fires was enormous....the Russian don't really know how to handle this heat...even the famous and amazing Moscow Metro does not have air conditioning.

Other fact...Nigeria has 150 million people..nearly 16 million in the city of Lagos alone. To put that in comparison...okay, what 305 million in the US--give or take a few million and in
Azerbaijan there is 9 million people...

Thanksgiving 2010

We all have much to be thankful for...the list for me is long and complicated but simply stated I'm thankful that for 631 days in Azerbaijan I have not been hit by a car or bus...

At work today, a lunch was organized for us Americans (three of us) including what I would call free-range baked turkeys, roasted pumpkin and mashed potatoes. I shared with the group a brief history of Thanksgiving, including how it is viewed by many as a turning point in the lives of Native Americans (and not in a positive way). Photos of turkeys, roasted pumpkin and me with the carver...

A tree unbowed....and I, humbled...

Still trying to capture the everyday scenes around me...if you look just above the word "me" you'll see a 2 x 4 holding up the trunk...and for me....First Lady Michelle Obama's expression of being "never prouder of her country"...I too, after being here for 630 days, have never felt prouder to call myself "an American".....

Globalization makes the world flatter than even Friedman proffered

If N. Korea has a modern uranium facility...the question is how did it get it? Well, the going theory in the part of the world...Pakistan helped...and if they did it means that transport likely occured through China which makes them likely complicit.
Largest heroin seizure ever in Nigeria nearly 300 lbs...was discovered in Lagos port in a shipment of machine parts from Iran....most of the drugs were probably destined for Europe or USA.
Finally, my last tidbit...it may seem counterintuitive...but appreciate items you'll find in the US that say Made in China. Here's why...think of three levels of factories in China turning out goods...one factory makes goods destined for the US and Western Europe, another factory makes products that is sold in places like Azerbaijan (yes, most of the items here are also made in China), then there are the factories that manufacture items that are actually sold to the citizens of China...now let me guess which factory's product you want on your back....