Life is good! We are sitting in our very own living room listening to Andre Rieu music on our IPOD and BOSE system. Linda has eaten a granola bar for breakfast and I have had coffee (glorious, wonderful, French roast coffee). Of course each is accompanied with vitamins and calcium supplements.
What a week it was! We had begun to look at apartments a couple of weeks ago in anticipation of moving out after the April 11 date set by the Peace Corps. Each volunteer must live with a host family 4 months before being eligible to move into independent housing. Then our host family very nicely asked since they knew we were looking, if we had found anything. The home we were living in actually belonged to the host mother’s parents. The parents were living in Russia, and we were actually sleeping in their bedroom. The host mother’s father has been ill and is returning to Azerbaijan to live. That upped our date to move to ASAP. We had already found one of the best apartments we had seen in Azerbaijan. The problem was price and the Peace Corps. The amount was 200 AZN a month and we are each allowed 80 AZN for housing without special approval. By email and phone communication we stated our situation to the PC and got approval, but the apartment was already rented to someone else. That was when we emailed the "Alert" to our army of supporters in the United States.
The Peace Corps Manual emphasizes the practical value and importance of modest living standards in host countries. Despite the difficulty of defining "modest living standards," even in very specific situation the manual states "…when there is any choice, the minimum standard is adequacy of shelter without risk to health; the maximum standard is comfort without ostentation."
We feel we have that apartment now. After the alert we called my counterpart and she went into action. We looked at three more apartments. One was very far from our work, and was empty. The price was 100 AZN empty, 200 AZN with promised but unseen furniture. On the Friday night, late into the evening my counterpart and her family and us looked at and negotiated the apartment we are in. If you ever need a negotiator for a new car or house, my counterpart’s husband is the man. The price dropped from 180 AZN to 160 AZN. But, improvements had to be made. The electrical plugs were exposed wires and there was no source for hot water. The refrigerator’s plug was 2 wires sticking into a socket. Our landlord, Ramiz and his wife Irada, said the repairs and a new electric hot water heater would be installed on Saturday.
I emailed the Peace Corps and asked for an inspection on Monday or Tuesday. On Saturday we walked to the apartment and Ramiz was making all the repairs, one fear relieved. On Sunday, I walked by with a friend, and Irada was cleaning.
On Tuesday the PC Driver, Hikmat, arrived to inspect. After the inspection we had tea. During the tea the driver translated for us. Ramiz asked why we were in Azerbaijan and we explained the best we could. He could not understand why we would come and not receive a salary. Finally I said "Azerbaijan Sezmek", we love Azerbaijan. He hugged me and kissed me on the cheek (I still do not feel comfortable with that cultural aspect). We paid the first month’s rent on March 31 and took the keys.
Linda took off work and cleaned for 2 days. She worked very hard, and I wish I had before and after pictures. The only before pictures I have are of the bathroom and the kitchen, which are posted above. Last night, Friday April 3, we spent our first night in the apartment we hope to have for the next 20 months.
Note, we hope to have. We have every indication that we will have a good relationship with Ramiz, but there are no leases or agreements in AZ. At some future time our situation may change. Many PCV have had to move on 1 to 3 days notice because family members return and the apartments are needed. All of Ramiz family lives in Shirvan now, so we feel optimistic.
Last night we were awoken by the trains passing about 30 yards from our window. I didn’t mention the tracks are that close, but we will get used to the noises of the neighborhood.
We are on the second floor, and you see Linda from our balcony window, and please note the solar clothes dryer. Finally there is a view of the park/play area from our kitchen window on a beautiful day.
We are truly blessed with good friends in the United States and Azerbaijan. We have a supporting staff in the Peace Corps. Thanks to each of you and them, LIFE IS GOOD.
One last note: I will post an after picture of the bathroom and kitchen on a future blog. To multitude of you who offered to mail us a toilet seat, I have found and installed one – it is even padded!