July 4, 2010
Only a handful of PCVs were invited to the July 4 event in the US Embassy. The main highlight of the event is the visit of Mrs. Clinton, Secretary of the States. When Mark called and told me that my name was on the list, I was very excited and looking forward to meeting her. The true highlight of the day for me, however, was meeting Linda and Denny, the lovely AZ6 couple w
hom I was so eager to meet since I arrived in Azerbaijan. Denny and Linda gave me a lot of helpful information last year when I was preparing to leave for Azerbaijan. They are indeed a charming, kind, and gentle couple.
This is the first time I visited the US Embassy in Baku. The compound is located in a not so nice neighborhood but has a lovely garden. Nevertheless, from the garden, you can see Azeri laundries everywhere, due to the fact that the compound is surrounded by apartment buildings. The locals are not shy to displace their underwear. It is kind of embarrassed to have a conversation with Mrs. Clinton while the Azeri colorful “flags” are everywhere. No wonder Mrs. Clinton was telling us that the Embassy was seeking a better place to move.
The US Government only fed us ice cream and cold drinks. No BBQ, no hotdog, not even some chips and cookies. There were not a lot of American attending the event, only the US Embassy faculties with their families, people from the Peace Corps office and less than 10 Peace Corps Volunteers. It was a very hot day and the event was held outdoor, so Mrs. Clinton did not linger too long. She looked tired, after 5 minutes speech and hang around for another 5 minutes, she left for the airport. I did not even get a chance to shake her hand not to mention a photo! The rest of the day was uneventful, except when I requested a bathroom stop, a security personnel had to escort me inside the compound, waited outside the lady room until I finished.
It was not an exciting day as I was expected but I got a story to tell when I return to the States!
Only a handful of PCVs were invited to the July 4 event in the US Embassy. The main highlight of the event is the visit of Mrs. Clinton, Secretary of the States. When Mark called and told me that my name was on the list, I was very excited and looking forward to meeting her. The true highlight of the day for me, however, was meeting Linda and Denny, the lovely AZ6 couple w
hom I was so eager to meet since I arrived in Azerbaijan. Denny and Linda gave me a lot of helpful information last year when I was preparing to leave for Azerbaijan. They are indeed a charming, kind, and gentle couple.This is the first time I visited the US Embassy in Baku. The compound is located in a not so nice neighborhood but has a lovely garden. Nevertheless, from the garden, you can see Azeri laundries everywhere, due to the fact that the compound is surrounded by apartment buildings. The locals are not shy to displace their underwear. It is kind of embarrassed to have a conversation with Mrs. Clinton while the Azeri colorful “flags” are everywhere. No wonder Mrs. Clinton was telling us that the Embassy was seeking a better place to move.
The US Government only fed us ice cream and cold drinks. No BBQ, no hotdog, not even some chips and cookies. There were not a lot of American attending the event, only the US Embassy faculties with their families, people from the Peace Corps office and less than 10 Peace Corps Volunteers. It was a very hot day and the event was held outdoor, so Mrs. Clinton did not linger too long. She looked tired, after 5 minutes speech and hang around for another 5 minutes, she left for the airport. I did not even get a chance to shake her hand not to mention a photo! The rest of the day was uneventful, except when I requested a bathroom stop, a security personnel had to escort me inside the compound, waited outside the lady room until I finished.
It was not an exciting day as I was expected but I got a story to tell when I return to the States!
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