60 Days and counting...

It's had to think that I've been in the Peace Corps since June 27th, 2007. It's now been three years, one month, and 13 days. And now, I have only 60 days remaining. Only 60 days to finish all my projects. 60 days to pack up the house. 60 days to give away things that I can't take with me. 60 days to see the places I haven't been. 60 days to say goodbye.

I don't particularly like the idea of saying goodbye. I know that in some ways, it's more of an "I'll see you later." I will come back to Azerbaijan. Not only because I have family and friends here, but because I truly enjoyed my time here. I know a lot of Peace Corps Volunteers have a hard time in their service, and I had my fair share of ups and downs as well... but in general, I loved it all. The things I will miss the most will probably be...

1. Cheap public transportation that comes frequently (.20 qepik for anything in city, and only 7 manat to get all the way accross the country)

2. My host organization. I really loved working at the Ganja Education Information Center, and as a result of my time there I am hoping to persue a career in higher education advising. I'm not sure if I will go to grad school yet, but I'm hoping that three years in an educational advising center will give me the experience many employers hope to gain in highering someone who has a masters degree already.

3. My boss. (All of them really!) I had a great chain of command here. Seeing as how I've been here so long, I'm now the second on the food chain in our office. So many people come and go, that I've done most of the training, helped with the hiring, and kept the office flowing smoothly. But without the help of my boss Hasan, it wouldn't have been possible. He was perhaps the most interesting, charismatic, and outgoing man I have ever worked with. It was a pleasure coming in to the office each day. He made me love my job.

4. My host family. They were great. Not only because they had a fantastic house, and kept me safe, comfortable, and connected to the community, they were welcoming as if I was really family. I lived with them for the full two years of my original service, and then have been back to visit them throughout my extended service year. They have a sense of humor that transcends language barriers... they really are the ideal host family. I was lucky to have them.

5. The random-ness of every day life in Azerbaijan. I can't imagine how my life would have been different without the every day little oddities. From the woman who insisted on selling me crackers when I asked for chicken, the shop keeper who keeps asking if I'm Norweigen, or the students who continually ask me after three years "what is your name America?" It's the random, comical interactions that kept life here so interesting.

6. My site mates. Many volunteers are not placed in a community with other volunteers. I'm one of the lucky ones who had not only one site mate, but nine site mates. They have supported me through every emotional crisis, every celebratory moment, and every day that I just needed a friend. I know that I'm not a soldier, I'm far from that, but the term brother in arms finally makes sense... maybe we were just sisters in peace.

7. The food. There are a lot of difficulties adjusting to any cultures food at first. But after three years, I'll miss dolma, bosderma, kabab, plov, xengal and kete. No matter how hard I try, mine never measures up!

8. The pace of life. In Azerbaijan, I've become accustomed to a more relaxed pace. People savor moments here. They spend time just sitting together. It can be very hard to make that adjustment for people who are always on the go, always thinking about their next step, and always thinking the grass is greener on the other side. In Azerbaijan, there is always time for chay (tea.)

9. New volunteers. Really, the best part of being a PCV is getting to see new people arrive, sharing the culture from a seasoned perspective, and offering words of wisdom to the next generation. Although I will be leaving Azerbaijan, I will still gladly answer questions that new volunteers may have about this country and it's people. I always enjoy hearing the reactions to the culture for the first time, it reminds me (and other volunteers) what it was like for us when we first arrived.

10. My community. Ganja really was a great place to serve. No, I didn't live in a mud hut. No, I wasn't in Africa. No, I didn't have to walk miles to get buckets of water. Yes, I had electricity. Yes, I had grocery stores (kind of). Yes, I could buy meat from a butcher or the store. Yes, I had a great landlord and a wonderful apartment. Yes, I got to shower regularly (usually every other day when I lived in my own place, and usually 2-3 times a week when living at a host family, as long as the pipes didn't freeze.) Yes, I had a pet... Dexter was my cat. Yes, I loved the people. Yes, I got married to my counterpart, afterall, he was the smartest, sweetest, funniest and nicest person I met in Azerbaijan. Yes, I will miss Azerbaijan.

For new volunteers who arrive at the end of September, I am sorry that I won't get to meet you. My group arrived in the summer of 2007, and I extended for a year. So my service ends on October 7th, 2010. Therefore, since I won't meet you in person, I'd like to offer you some advice on preparing for your service...

1. Keep an open mind. Don't come with expectations. It's easier to adjust to living abroad if you don't put too many expectations in your mind. Those who do, for example, expect to have constant internet access, or expect to have a pollution free community, or even expect to live in a big city, you will only create your own disappointment. If you are open to any experience, you can learn to adapt to life in any community.

2. Focus on what you want out of your service. Peace Corps does not yet know where you will be placed. They want to meet you, and talk to you about your desires before placing you in a town, city or village. They want to know what you need. Too many volunteers make the mistake of focusing on the external environment, that they forget the important qualities in a working environment. Instead of begging to be in the mountains, or someplace hot, or someplace beautiful, ask for the things that will help you to be successful. If you want a host organization that works 7 days a week, a place that does community outreach, someplace that helps poor people, someplace that has lots of english speakers, somewhere with a library, somewhere with computers, or anything that would make your work plans a reality, then ASK FOR THOSE! If you like to multitask, or if you like to focus on one thing at a time, those are more important in matching you the right community. You should really focus on what you hope to gain from your service, and your plans to work successfully.

3. Stop buying stuff. Really, too many volunteers come with too much stuff. Save the money you'll spend on a whole new wardrobe, get yourself a few basic items (think business casual) and then pick up the rest of what you need here. You can get a lot of things here that are culturally appropriate that you can't get in America. Don't focus on getting 10 floor length dark colored skirts. In reality, every community has different styles and you can find something here.

4. Start working with the language materials now. The easiest way to become involved, accepted and integrated into your community is to learn the language. You will be able to start work sooner, express your needs easier, and explain your ideas clearer if you get a head start on this. I know the CD seems like it's impossible. But come at least knowing how to say thank you, hello, "my name is" and a few other basics. Learn numbers. There is no such thing as a "too fluent" rating in language.

5. Take pictures of everything. Take pictures of your home, your car, your work, your community, your friends and relatives. Take pictures of a grocery store, of any interesting parks, of anything in your community that you can share. You can never have too many pictures, and it will help you to break the ice. If you are wondering what gifts to bring, I have yet to find an Azerbaijani family that doesn't like candy. Think bags of candy that you can give away. This will always be appreciated!