A typical day - part 2

I described a typical day during training and I want to post a new Daily Activity Schedule (DAS) as a volunteer.  I plan on posting this “typical day” format a few more times during my Peace Corps adventure.  In part, for me to review and see how it changes over the course of 27 months.  I have been a volunteer for about 4 weeks and have been at my site for just about 3 weeks. While I have a work schedule – I work from 9:30 – 4:00, four days a week at one organization.  As I get more comfortable and my language improves, I will expand my service. There is a lot less structure to my week.

My Monday thru Thursday DAS is as follows:

7:30-8:00 -wake up, get ready for the day, make and eat breakfast

8:45 – gather my bag, lunch and head out to work.  It is a 30 minute walk.  Right now the temperature averages in the 80-90’s so it is a toasty walk.

9:15 – arrive at work and say Salam

9:15-1:00 – talk with my counterpart and other staff members.  Look at information/data. Talk with the PCV that am overlapping with until October. Research. Study language.

1:00 – 1:30 lunch

1:30 – 4:00 more work

4:00 – 4:45 walk home.  I’m a little slower at night and often stop in at a store on my way home. I haven’t kicked my diet coke habit and indulge in one a day, in addition to my cups of tea.

On Fridays, I have a two hour tutoring session with my Azerbaijan language teacher.  She is due to move closer to my site in a couple of months and then I should have tutoring in person.  I need to bring my language skills up to intermediate – mid.  They are progressing.

Saturdays I've been exploring and Sundays I rest.

I have gone into Baku four times by myself and have had little adventures each time.  I’m getting a handle on the buses.  There doesn’t appear to be published schedules or routes.  I just ask people who know, including PCVs, my host family and co-workers.  The buses run often, but I need to factor in traffic and construction to get places on time. It also helps if I remember to bring my map.  Directions include behind the mosque near the Turkish Embassy, so time needs to be factored in for the preciseness of the directions.  I now feel comfortable getting to the Peace Corps office, the office by the mosque, a couple of universities and the old city. Right now I’m focusing on the bus system and next I’ll tackle metro. But since you can’t see landmarks in a subway tunnel, I’m staying above ground for now. 

Typical food has not changed much but the timing and serving has. Meals are served family style in the kitchen. I have kitchen privileges and that makes a world of difference.  Though grilled cheese is my only kitchen adventure to date.  I am, however, watching and assisting in the kitchen.

·         Breakfast

o   Yogurt & muesli

o   Eggs

o   Tea

·         Lunch

o   Leftovers – my office has a microwave (Yipee!!)

·         Dinner – lots of variety

o   Bread

o   Soup – not every dinner but often (I really like lentils)

o   Main dish

§  Dolma (grape leaf, cabbage leaf, tomato, eggplant, pepper)

§  Plov (rice dish – supposedly 140+ varieties)

§  Potatoes

§  Potato cutlet (hash browns with greens)

§  Eggplant – fried, steamed, with other stuff

§  Bulger and other grains

§  Salad – combination of cucumber, tomato, onion, pepper and greens

§  Usually some sort of meat (typically beef or chicken) in combination with one or more of the above

I’ve also had a couple of yogurt drinks, which are good in small quantities.

Lots and lots of tea.  Sometimes there is a light meal when I get home from work and then another meal between 8:00 and 9:00.

I’m eating small meals, I think primarily because it is so hot.  The last time I weighed myself, I had lost 15 pounds. I’m looking pretty good.

My family lives on a small salt lake.  The house is on a rise, so we get a nice breeze that really helps with the heat.  There is a wonderful garden, with fruits and vegetables and about 80 chickens.  Only 40 chickens belong to my immediate family, the other half belong to my host father's brother who lives next door. We are currently enjoying cucumber, greens and the tomatoes are starting to come in season.

 

Salam

---

 [