reunion!!!

Well Again it’s been awhile so let me jump right back into things and say things. It feels great to be back. I know I am not supposed to say that, but it is true. I’m not going to bag on America- that rocked too! Kazia’s 30th was outstanding and Jana’s Wedding was unique and awesome. I had a great time, but it I stayed there one more day I was going to pop! Turns out everything the U.S. was way more delicious than I remembered. So I basically felt like I ate my way across the U.S. – which was great, but I needed to stop eating.

My first great surprise was waiting for me outside of customs. Amongst all the men holding signs for drivers, which for some reason I was inspecting, there was a Peace Corps driver with a Peace Corps sign. Now I know that for certain reasons PC will pick you up, but as special as going to your sister’s wedding is, it’s definitely not one of the reasons. But I went over and talked to him. Turns out he was waiting for an AZ5 that was on my plane- crazy right! (sidenote- at least 5 European rhythmic gymnastics teams were also on the plane)

So as the evening played out, I got a free ride into town (usually a 20$ cab ride)
A free room to crash in (would have been a 55$ hotel room)
A free ride to PC offices the next morning (3 $ taxi)
And I got to meet Greta Shoop- AZ5 early (frickin priceless! Did I mention her last name is Shoop like the song- how cool is that!)

The reunion theme continued to my trip to Ganja, which was dubbed the Reunion Tour, as so many AZ4-ers that had spent part of June away from AZ returned for a little softball! It was hugs all around for the PCVS and Ming won the tourney but I think we all had a great time. I helped moved Ben in Larry’s apt as we all said goodbye to “LARRY BADGER”(properly spoken in a thick Russian accent for comedic affect). Yes was sad to see Larry go but the man had to get home in time for his 70th birthday, and it is all part of the PCV circle of life as AZ3 moves on and AZ4 swoops in and takes all the really cool stuff, like Air Conditioned apartments!
One last note on softball, it has been said that I am not afraid of balls being thrown at me, and in the final game I finally proved to the guys that I can even catch, what remains to be seen for the fall season is if I can finally learn to use my glove hand and stop getting wicked bruises each time I play!

4th of July---- Thank you AMERICA. I never felt so high class! The embassy threw a kickin’ bash. Hot dogs Hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies. Also a special thanks to Mike, who yet again hooked us up with a free place! And let me say this- In Ganja, we had no water until we moved to Larry’s, before that in Sheki I had no water. Think about that, now think about how much softball we played in middle of the day heat and humidity, and then add the bus ride to Baku- the other side of the country, now think about how happy we were to get to Mike Air Conditioned apartment and use his showers and washing machine!

Finally, after 2 and half months of trainings and trips my counter part Azad and I were reunited too! It was great to see him again! And yeah I wore lipstick and he freaked out about how beautiful I am- so there you go, Reunions in every capacity and you can see why I mean it! It’s great to be back.



FYI the pics are all taken at the embassy. Standing in front of our state flags. In order left to right-Ashley, Rikki, and Ben in front of the Texas flag
Higgens and I in front of the all time best state's flag. Tom and Arzu in front of Illinois'.
Group shot goes Ben, Tom, me, Rikki, Ash Higgens, and Jason