Bear in a Cage.

Hello Fishbowl.  What’s up? I had heard about the fishbowl experience for volunteers but never really expected it to be as dramatic and real as it is.  Back home, diversity is prevalent even in the smallest of communities.  People have very different facial structures, hair colors, skin tone, etc etc.  We’re all very different.  Here in Azerbaijan, anyone that’s not Azeri sticks out like sore thumb.  I had the impression that since I have dark hair and darker eyes, I might be able to blend in just a bit if I dressed appropriately.  Ah…. no luck there.  Maybe it’s my neon pink chucks, maybe it’s the stunned expression, it could be my impressive shnoz (thanks genetics! Haha… just kidding… but really. My nose is very different here haha), or skin just a little different color.  I’m astounded at how quickly I am sniffed out as “different”.  Kids, even babies, can pick me out.  With that said… here’s my bear in the cage story. 

So two Saturdays ago, we had the afternoon free of training and several of us were in Heydar park (beautiful!!) just hanging out and having a great time.  People had noticed us, but no one had stopped.  Then a girl from my neighborhood that I had talked to came over and wanted to chat with us. Keep in mind that our language skills are minimal at best.  And mine go out the window when I’m caught off guard.  (If you have seen the youtube “fainting goats” – that’s me. I just fall over.  Fail.) So this lovely neighborhood girl (her name is Ilaha) brings over her fellow Azeri friends to meet these crazy looking Americans.  Mega popularity points right there for her.  Next thing we know, my friends and I are surrounded completely by at least 10 azeri youth.  (cue my deer in the headlights look to complete the effect).  There’s someone playing with my hair, girls edging closer, kids laughing at our minimal azeri, etc etc.  Traumatizing.  But one of my fellow trainees has started to say “Na var Na Yox” (What’s up) in a funny way to her family and that info has spread like wildfire.  So soon enough, we’re being asked to do the same thing.  Dance, Monkey, dance essentially.  I wish I could tell you how this ended, how we left, but I honestly don’t know.  I think a blanked that part out of my memory.  Intense.

So – we’re just the sideshow freaks in a sense.  I’m hoping that once my language skills and I can at least be a grown fainting goat that freezes but doesn’t fall over (please see hilarious video) that we’ll be seen more as individuals and fellow human beings rather than someone to ogle.  Only time will tell.

The weather has changed to a blustery and rainy fall.  So strange, one day it was roasting and we were complaining…next day jackets are busted out and I’m freezing just about everywhere.  Winter will be an experience for sure. 

I think my cultural adaptation is progressing nicely J.  I’m struggling with language, a new host families, and not being able to run or really have much time for myself.  So small moments that I can just be and breathe are cherished treasures. 

I got my first letter in the mail yesterday! (thank you SOOOO much C!).  Please write if you can! I’m having a great time here, but I miss the states and all of the wonderful people there. I think it takes 3 to 4 weeks for letters and packages to get here.  I’ll send a few letters this week after figuring out how to articulate my postage needs and we can figure out how long it takes to get things sent home. 

Wish I could curl up by the fire with a slice of grandma’s bread and some hot cocoa and chat the afternoon away. Thinking of you all!
E