One Month to Go

Tomorrow will mark 1 month to go, so it will be a Diet Dr. Pepper day for Linda. My cousin, Melissa Williamson, sent Linda 6 Diet DP’s and for that we are very thankful because we’re absolutely sure Linda can make it to the finish now!

Second picture is of Matt and Parvaneh Daneshmand who will be Mr. and Mrs. Matt Rives very soon. They called to give us the news last Sunday, and we couldn’t be happier. We will have 2 daughters-in-law and Linda will no longer be outnumbered 3 to 1, but it will be 3-3.

The third picture really needs no explanation other than the Peace Corps does not allow Volunteers to operate any motor vehicles in Azerbaijan, but sometimes temptation is just too great.

The fourth photo is three sheep in the backseat of a car. Not an uncommon site. Automobiles outside of the major cities are used as all purpose vehicles. I have observed men cutting grass and then stuffing it into every available space of the 4-door Lada for later use in feeding cattle. There are automobiles loaded from ceiling to floor with apples, watermelons, and any local produce. Often building supplies, furniture, refrigerators, and local luggage are on top of an automobile. In regards to the sheep, it really isn’t too expensive if they split the taxi fare 3 ways.

Linda and I just returned from Peace Corps headquarters in Baku completing our medical and dental exams before closing our service. We will be covered by Peace Corps insurance for 1 month following our departure from country. If there are any later complications caused by our time in Azerbaijan, including mental health issues, we can they apply for treatment from the government.
While in Baku we saw 2 tourist attractions. One is a Zoroastrian Temple. Azerbaijan has always been known as the land of fire. Zoroastrian worshipers used fire in their cleansing ceremonies. The temple is built with five walls to resemble a star. In the center of the temple is a flame which was once natural gas escaping and a natural flame (now piped in due earth quake damage). The flame is housed under a square roof with a smaller brick square like a chimney on each corner. Each corner represents one of the four major elements, earth (soil), water, wind, and fire. It was quite interesting and we had a very good guide. It was an important site because it was on the Silk Road from India to Europe. Many Indian Zoroastrian followers and priests came to this site. There are 26 small rooms in the outer walls for worship and meditation.

The second site was the “burning stone” near Baku. The natural gas fed rock has been “on fire” for centuries. The heat was amazing, and such a site. I thought of the burning bush of Exodus. (We were not anticipating this opportunity and did not have our camera.)

Another Peace Corps moment to relate from our day in Baku; we were returning to our hotel via the Metro (Baku subway system). As we made our way from the train to the surface, we ran into Rauf. Rauf is one of the most computer savvy people I have met in Azerbaijan. He was the Director of the IREX IATP (Internet Access and Training Program) at the Central Library from 2001 – 2005. Rauf always concludes his conversations with me with “How can I help you?” My reply is always, “Nothing now, but just to know that I have a friend as you is enough.” Linda and I told him we were finishing our service in a month and would be returning the United States and 2 new daughters-in-law. He congratulated us, and then added, “Thank you for what you have given to Azerbaijan. Thank you for your service.” Rauf’s spontaneous gesture warmed our hearts on a cool evening.