The Weather Has Improved

The pictures are of the Roman ruins in ancient Ephesus. The hoard of tourists are making their way to the library which was the third largest in the world during its time. We visited Ephesus, Pergamum, and Hieropolis. The scenery was wonderful, but ruins are ruins after a while.

The weather here has moderated a bit. This summer we have had electricity every day, and it has been rarely off even for an hour or so. The water on the other hand is scarce even after all the flooding. We have access to running water every other day, but the water is usually very muddy in the mornings. We have moderate water pressure for about an hour on water days. The water begins to flow around 6:00, and we begin transferring settled water into usable water containers, and refilling the settling containers. Boil and filter all day. Our showers are primarily bucket baths, but when we can we rinse off in the evenings to help cool off.

Linda invited Irada to tea today. Irada is an English teacher at school number 18. She is always looking for new teaching techniques and ways to improve her teaching. Irada’s English speaking is very good, and it is always a joy to spend time with her. She lives with her mother who is 77 and still an active Azerbaijani literature teacher. Irada was a counterpart for a younger AZ5 Volunteer. Irada is very kind and has only spoken kind words for the Volunteer.
We shared with her the photos of our trip to Turkey. We had tea, brownies (thank you Nancy), Turkish Delight (candy from Turkey), and a little cake that Irada brought for us. Irada shared that she is attempting to join AZETA (Azerbaijani English Teachers Association). She traveled to Baku, but their offices had moved. Irada is determined and will try again in September.
AZETA has 6 branches. Each branch will have activities to assist its members in improving their English teaching skills. As with any organization, interest ebbs and flows. It is an excellent concept and many Volunteers try to assist in their activities.

Linda’s courtyard clubs continue and are very good. They not only provide an educational and constructive time for the children, but they enable parents to see interactive teaching methods. A byproduct is that all the surrounding people know Linda and respect all her efforts. Some of the mothers come and listen and participate in the activities.

Activities at the Central Library were very busy this week. I am having great participation in the 10:00 MWF club with the better English speakers. We have 3 new participants at the 4:00 p.m. MWF group who are also the better English speakers.

One of the young men at 4:00 p.m. is a vegetarian and practices Yoga. He is a university student with the Russian faculty. He has brought new interest into our group.
Another young man is from the private Turkish school here in Shirvan. The private school provides an excellent educational opportunity, but only for males.

As always we are thankful for all the support we receive from family and friends in the United States. As we enter the final phase of our service here, we realize even more how much you have meant to our work.