Back on the Blog

I have the details of the blog worked out so that we can update more often. I know it has been over 2 months since we posted anything.
Training is going well and we appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.
A little about our future home for the next two years. We will be in Shirvan (formerly calledAli-Bayramli), and if you want information look up the former name. The city just changed its name recently. It is a city of about 68,000. It has 3 vocational schools past secondary education, but no colleges or universities. It has 16 secondary schools. Linda will be teaching English and working with teachers at one of the 16 schools. She finds out which school on November 14.
I will be in the central library and have met once with the director. The director is interested in computer programs for the library. Outside of the library I will be conducting English Clubs and working with sports when I can. There will be 2 other PC Volunteers at the site. Jessie who is training with me now is in his early 2o's and will be working through a school. There is an AZ5 Kelsey who is also TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) volunteer.
A little about the country. The Azerbaijan people are very kind and want to learn to speak English. The language is similiar to Turkish, and we are learning it slowly. The weather is about like Chicago or KC, but very few buildings have heating systems. The temperature outdoors has been in the 40's and in our home the 50's. We can see our breath in the "haman", that is bathroom".
The Peace Corps gives us medical kits, water filters, and sleeping bags. The sleeping bags are wonderful, and in the winter many hours are spent there. During the day Linda and I wear 3-4 layers of clothing. Usually we wear 2-3 indoors. At night we can cover up and study and read, but our hands get very cold. Our host family says it is Azerbaijan, not America.
The discomforts are really quite small, and as our country director reminds us, we are here for Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is not here for us. Your love and support help make the discomforts easy to adjust to. It is a matter of adjustment.
I just attended a class concerning the education system in Azerbaijan. The system is very centralized and all curriculum and schedules are established in Baku then implemented throughout the country. The starting teacher is paid approximately 20 dollars per week, and teaches about 3 hours a day. With experience a teacher can make as much as 50 dollars a week.
Capitalism is quite an adjustment for a nation only 17 years old.
There are many nights I lay in bed and cannot believe we are 4000 miles from KC and family, and are living in a country which was once a member of the Soviet Union.
The computers are all in Russian, and Russian is spoken by many of the older citizens.
My own computer has not been connected to the internet for 2 months, so when I do get access with it, it will take several days to download updates and security information.
I currently access the internet through internet clubs or cafes for about a dollar an hour. The machines are very basic and met the needs. Most of the youth in the internet cafes and clubs play games and do not access the internet for information.
Linda and I attend language class during the morning, and train at other locations in the afternoons. We are mastering the public transportation system.

A promise: everyone wants pictures. I will attempt a picture or 2 on my next post to see how long it takes to up load.