ABLE 2010 - The Movie

At the end of July the US Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) in conjunction with the Returned Future Leaders Exchange Program (RFLEX) put on a week long camp called the Azerbaijan Boys Leadership Experience (ABLE) 2010. We invited over 45 high school boys from all over Azerbaijan to come and learn about Leadership, Teamwork, Creativity, Gender Roles, Volunteerism and Project Planning along with learning new fun games like American Football, Capture the Flag and Ultimate Frisbee. After the camp is over, the boys are expected to teamup with themselves and their local PCV to implement local community projects, such as teaching other students about ABLE, doing a trash cleanup, or conducting a fundraiser to help needy families among many other projects.

This is the first year I attended ABLE and I have to say it was the funnest week I have had yet as a PCV and a smashing success. I cannot wait until ABLE 2011. Below is a short video/slideshow showing what we did at ABLE 2010.

Talysh Sock Store

We just launched a brand new Talysh Sock Stores with Google Checkout so all major credit cards are accepted. Talysh Socks come from the Talysh Mountains in the southern part of Azerbaijan. These are colorful, heavy wool, hand made socks. There is hardly anything better at keeping your feet warm and they make excellent presents. Also by buying these socks you are supporting the local community as 100% of our profits go to local community projects. So head on over to the Talysh Sock Store and check it out.

Phone Company FAIL

Yesterday the phone lines in the street fell down, or as the I was told, the power line burnt through the phone line. Anyhow no phone line means no Internet, so it immediately became a priority for me. I called my contacts (via cell phone) and they in turned called the phone company. We were told the workers where done for the day so we would have to wait until tomorrow (lets keep in mind this is effecting everyone on my street not just me). Well the next day the phone people came out, but we were told they didn't have any cable... We could pay them money today for them to buy the cable to put in the street or else wait until Tuesday when they would have time to get more. This prompt more calls. Later in the afternoon they came back and actually fixed the line. However when they were finished they told us we had to pay them for their time, taxi rides and their lunch... and this if for a problem in the street, which is their fault and their property, for a service I am already paying for. After a few more calls, they decided to leave me alone and not ask for any more money. Oh the joys of living in a developing country and the excellent and timely customer service.

AZ8 Spotted In The Wild

The first AZ8 (the next group of Peace Corps Volunteers coming to Azerbaijan in October) has been spotted in the wild, he has a blog called Neither East nor West: Life at the Crossroads. We don't know much about the newest member of our family but I am sure we'll get to know him real well in a couple months.

I had been concerned about the newest group of volunteers since they have not shown themselves online until now. Last year AZ7s started getting invited in February and we had our Facebook Group started in April and by June it was in full swing. However, as the saying goes, it is better to be late than never and I am looking forward to meeting more AZ8s online and providing them with my sage advice.