Wednesday, September 29, 2010

My Life in Azerbaijan - Happy Anniversary !

September 29, 2010
Last year this day, I landed on this dusty soil of Azerbaijan, knew nothing about this country, its people and my fate with them. A year has gone by, and I am still here, learning about this country, its people and my fate with them. The feeling nevertheless is different now.

After living here for a year, I come to like this country and its people. I am particularly fond of the elderly one. Their facial expression, their appearance and their gesture still carry the ancient culture and reflect the old value that once governed their daily live. They are proud of their heritage, take pride of their national meals, national dance, national music, many other national “things” that they are still trying to educate me. The younger generation, however, favors the modern music, modern dance and the western foods.

Azerbaijan is becoming a modern country. If you walk around on the Sahil area of Baku, you would think that you are walking on the street of a European country. The big McDonald sign would further deceive you. Passing by the Caspian Sea everyday, I saw young people holding their cellular phone, chatting endless with their friends, hiding behind a tree, young couple hugging and kissing each other, doing things that are considered as “olmaz” (forbidden) by their parents.

I am old fashion, I like the tradition, the old value, but I also welcome the new, the change. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, one of our missions is to educate the Azeri people about America, its culture, its value. Working for the bank, I encountered many educated Azeri youngsters, who are eager to learn about America, a world outside of their own. Most of them express their desire to study abroad and further their education. They remind me of the time when I was at their age, full of ambition, building up so many dreams. They often seek my advice. Knowing that there would be many obstacles ahead of them, I simply told that: “Every dream is possible, if you work hard to pursuit it, it will someday become a reality, because I had done it! So

Dream it, plan it and do it.

Listening to their dreams, I am certain that it is my fate to be here….

Monday, September 27, 2010

My Life in Azerbaijan - Mid Autumn Festival

September 22, 2010

It is a full moon. Its bright orange color nearly blinds me tonight. Ah, it is the Annual Mid Autumn Festival. My hiking buddies must be at top of the Jackie Jones Mountain, hanging up the colorful paper lanterns, watching the moon, eating moon cake, drinking Jasmine Tea, and celebrating this annual special event. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, on August 15, the moon is the fullest and the brightest. There is a full moon every month, but if you pay more attention to the moon on August 15 (Chinese lunar calendar), you will notice the difference.

To me, the moon is like an old friend, accompanies me wherever I go. I saw this exact same moon when I was at top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, at the base camp of Mt. Everest, at the bottom of a canyon, and also on the balcony of my New York apartment. Here standing by the window of my Azerbaijan apartment, my old friend is here again, as bright, beautiful and warm as ever.

One thing is certain and the rest is lies;
The flower that once has blown, forever dies….


But the moon will be there for me until the day I lay rest.
I am not asking much of life; just want to find a person to be my friend for life….

The moon by my bedroom window
Illuminating the floor silvery below
Looking up to the moon

Remembering friends and family back home

Then, I think about an old friend far far away. I miss him dearly…..

Thursday, September 23, 2010

My Life in Azerbaijan - Building a Little Dream


We are planning to buy the little house on the island, a small little house just big enough for both of us to retire there. Fifteen or twenty years from now, that place will be our get away place, away from the daily hassle and bustle city life.

I will have my flowers and bamboo grow by the balcony. Every morning, we will enjoy our breakfast right next to the bamboo tree, watch the sun comes out behind the mountain. Before the sun gets too hot, we will go to the harbour and purchase the fisherman’s daily catch, afterward, fetch some farm-grown vegetables from our neighbour, kill a capon chicken and make ready for a simple healthy dinner.

Skipping a nap, I will take a long walk around the island; the flesh ocean breeze will do my body good. Time permits, I will explore the little cave by the shore. Perhaps I will discover some hidden treasure left behind by the infamous pirate mentioned in the legend. Maybe more apt, I will visit the little ancient temple by the hill, wish for a happiness, prosperity and good health for both of us.

Before the sun loses its final colour, I return home with some wild flowers to decorate the table. If by any chance, a friend stops by for a visit, I will open a bottle of my favourite red wine and share with him/her the darkest secret of the night.

I am longing for that day to come. We shall care for each other, travel to our final journey and disappear into the night.

Let the past be the past, I finally understood….

Sunday, September 12, 2010

My Life in Azerbaijan - Minority PCVs

September 11, 2010
I heard news about my fellow PCV, who is just as the same as I am; a minority PCV, is having a very tough time in her community. She was constantly being stared at, made fun of, and receiving harassments from boys, and finally Peace Corps has to relocate her, hopefully, to end her misery, or not.

Listening to her complaints from other PCVs, I realize that her problems are not uncommon. I encountered most hurdles she is experiencing, especially with those dreadful teenage boys. I was first angry, upset, then depressed, but I finally realized that unless I changed my attitude, the situation would never get better. After all, it was my problem, not their!

Seeing Asian PCVs, the locals never register in their minds that we are actually American. No matter how many times I told him, “I am an American”, they would just keep asking the same question until I explained to them that I am an American Citizen, which they would acknowledge. They are curious about me. Who is she? Why is she walking in our neighborhood? What is she doing here? Where is her family? Is she married? Where is her husband? Until and unless they resolve those “mysteries”, they will never leave me alone. But, never in a million years would they intentionally harm me. If they knew they were hurting my feeling, making me feel uncomfortable, they would have apologized or maybe even feel ashamed. Even the teenage boys, they never mean to be unkind to me. All they did was to get my attention, get me to talk to them so as to satisfy their curiosity. That is all.

Now, I am no longer troubled by their stares. As soon as they looked at me, I smiled and said my “Salam”. 99.9%, they returned with a smile and a “Salam”, even the teenage boys! They are actually very shy creatures. I make a lot of friends in my town due to my daily walk. A teenage boy who has been my friend since June works in a teahouse by the Sea. Few months ago, he saw me walk by his teahouse everyday and just kept staring at me or making fun of me with his buddies. One day, I stopped and smiled with a “Salam”. His face immediately turned very red, but he replied with a “Salam” and we began to chat. Once we were connected, he was thrilled to be my friend. He found every opportunity to introduce me to his teahouse friends, young or old. Once they all got to know me, they no longer stare at me, but greet me everyday with a “Salam”. Now I am their special friend from American. (or from China)

My word of advice to my fellow minority PCVs: You need to change your attitude, re-program your mind to view those stars and harassments as a “hello, I want to know you”. Remember, we are a PCV, an ambassador from American, a stone face will never win a friend! Be flexible, be patience, and have a sense of humor; the three most important qualities a PCV should always maintain. We will be here for another 14 months; it will go fast only if you enjoy your time here.

My Life in Azerbaijan - Contentment

September 9, 2010
The weather is just lovely lately. Getting up early this morning when the rest of the world is still asleep. Today is the Ramadan holiday, I am off from work at the bank, but still I love to get up before everyone. Sitting by the kitchen window, I feel the cool breeze. The air soothes me.

I have a big plan today. Egg plant is so cheap now so I bought 3 kilos (about 6.6 lbs) yesterday from the bazaar. It only costs me 1 manat (US$1.25). I am going to find a way to freeze them so I can preserve some of them for the upcoming winter. The yellow fig are everywhere in the bazaar, they are incredibly sweet. Few weeks ago, I made two jars of fig jam and I have been enjoying them with my toast every morning. I think I am going to make more today.


Last month, traveling to Turkey, I was taken by surprise to see my favorite flower (Night Blooming Cactus) growing in our fellow PCV home. The plant was not doing well. All the leaves were breaking due to the neglect. I bought one of the dying leaves home and it has roots now. It is ready to be planted. I think I will put it in the soil today. Afterward, I will go to the courtyard and play with the children, show them my Colgate Project and teach them how to brush their teeth. In the afternoon, I will work on my book. Yes, I am writing a book, my life journey. I hope when it is finished, I will have enough audiences to read it. Life seems to get better each day.

On my way to the bazaar, I look up to all the olive trees in my neighborhood. The plump green olives are getting bigger each day. I don’t think I will ever live on a street with so many olive trees again. Suddenly, a strange feeling surges, I feel the contentment. I guess I am indeed enjoying the simplicity of life here, a goal I set out to pursuit before I arrived.

I think I will miss my life in Azerbaijan……