Part two of my travels

After swearing in we had one more week of training then on Friday, June 21st I hopped in a car with my accumulation of stuff and made the 15k journey to my new host family.  My new family also has four members, not including the two brothers (of my host father) families who live next door and across the street.  My host sister and brother are both in their mid-twenties vs. mid to late teens of my previous host family.

Our house is on/overlooks a small salt lake.  While it is pretty from a distance, not so much close up. The house is on a slight rise.  This appears to provide for a nice breeze and helps mitigate the heat.  We have had at least one 100 degree day.  Right now it is hovering in the high 80's low 90's and we still have July and August to get through.  I've been advised to stay indoors 11-4. On work days that is easy but we'll see how it works on the weekends.

View from my room through the bedroom screen. This also overlooks the garden which is wonderful.  So far it has produced tut(marionberries), blackberries (not the PNW kind, more like blueberries), cucumber and strawberries.  It also has apple, pear, pomegranate trees.  The garden will have onion, pepper, tomatoes, garlic, beans and potatoes plus lots of  herbs.  My host mother will do a lot of canning to provide vegetables during the winter.

I have regular access to the internet, but water is not terribly reliable.  It seems to have daily issues and due to a break we lost it for over 24 hours.  Typically it is either a water pressure issue or it is turned off for a short period. While it is disconcerting, it can be coped with fairly easily.  I just need to keep my water filter filled.

I continue to work on my language skills.  I will be tutoring with my training teacher via Skype. I'm hoping that she will move to Baku shortly and I can tutor in person. My family and work will also help.

I've started going to my organization but it will take some time to learn about the org, where they would like me to focus and where their is a fit with my skills and their needs.  I'll keep you posted.

Still thrilled I signed up. More to follow. Patti

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.