Surprise

Not only was last week Gurban, but I also celebrated my first birthday in Azerbaijan. A cold/flu has been running through my family and the day before my birthday, I was feeling a little ill.  I woke up on my birthday and had a headache.  Nunu said nothing, but cooked me eggs for breakfast.  I popped some pills and headed off to work.  The headache subsided and then returned, so I packed up my bags early and headed for home.

When I got home, mom, her sister and their mother were in the kitchen cooking. It looked a little more elaborate than usual, but I just wanted to lie down.  Nunu was surprised at seeing me, but she was tutoring and I was tired.  I got up and was putzing around with my bedroom door open.  At some point I realized that my mom was outside my door acting a little strange.  I poked my head out and surprise, my closest sitemate, KJ was in the living room.  Nunu had made arrangements for her to come to my birthday dinner.  And then more relatives showed up. 

Dinner, family, friends, presents and cake.  My director also gave me a gift and a happy birthday greeting. I received many happy wishes from home.  A marvelous way to spend my birthday.  I am blessed to have two such wonder families and great friends.

Not getting older, just getting better!

Cake made by neighbor

Family and friends

KJ and me (I barely blew all the candles out)

Nana, my mom, KJ, me, Nunu, Mamet and my aunt (I was trying to go for the sexy long hair look and failed)

Gurban

Gurban Bayram (Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the ancient religious holidays in Islam, celebrated in honor of the prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son as a proof of his loyalty to God (Allah). At the last moment, God provided a ram to be sacrificed. 

Gurban was observed October 15th & 16th.  Gurban is a public holiday so I had those days off.  My original plan was to meet  friend in Baku on Tuesday.  I had checked with host sister an she had indicated that it was OK to leave home that day. However, when I told my host mother I was leaving, I got the "look" which indicated that I needed to change my plans.  Instead, I got my camera out for the observance. 

In Azerbaijan, Gurban is observed with a sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep.  Sheep are the primary animal sacrificed, but other animals can be used.  My family pitched in with three other related families and purchased a young ram.  The ram needed to be over one year old.  I was told that a truck from village comes into the neighborhood with sheep to be purchased for the holiday. Below is the sheep that appeared in our yard.



Extended family members

The sacrifice is Halal, in accordance with religious traditions.  The animal looks towards Mecca and a man performs the sacrifice. After the animal is dressed, the women takeover.  Part of Gurban involves sharing with the less fortunate.  Since not everyone can afford to purchase a sheep, the meat from the sheep is divided into seven portions. My family's and their relatives kept four shares and then gave the remaining three shares away to others.

Both lunch and dinner were shared with the extended family.  The first meal was a dish of organs, onions and potatoes.  I limited myself to liver, potatoes and onions.  Sort of reminded me on Twee's liver and onion dinners, however bacon was not included. The second was boiled lamb.  Lamb is not my favorite meat, but both meals were tasty. I however will not be including either of these meals in my cooking repertoire.

I am impressed at how respectful the sacrifices are and how nothing goes to waste.  I also like the gathering of the family and how the family works together to perform the necessary tasks.  All but the youngest help out.  I'm glad that I got to witness this event.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Today' post is devoted to pictures from the last couple of months


Soviet era apartment living room

Building in Quba

My first baking experience - Twee's Apple Cake

Sydney in Baku

Nar from the garden

Cool fall day house clothes - Nunu thinks the long winter underwear with yoga pants has a sumo wrestler look

Annie (PCV who lived with host family), her relatives, my host family, relatives, neighbor boy and friend.  Dinner included Ash(plov), three sisters dolma, a mayonnaise salad, greens and the never ending corek(bread)

Outdoor shoes

My home's street. You should see it when its been raining.

Nene and my host mom

Kitchen in Soviet era apartment

Hot water for bath in Soviet era apartment- be careful when lighting and make sure you turn the gas off when done. In some homes these are wood burning or anything else that burns.

That is all for today.  Off to brave the cold bathroom but with insta-hot water. Sag Ol