Getting Ready to Return to Azerbaijan

Monday morning March 4th, I called the Peace Corps Country Desk officer for Azerbaijan to find out the status of my return after being Medically Separated in Sept. 2012. Jessica's voice was so upbeat that I knew my return to finish my service was still on track. No chance of being "sequestered," i.e., the PC budget cut for this final portion of my service. I had been getting mentally prepared to hear that my return had been axed.

My worry was for naught when Jessica said she had already checked on available flights to Baku. In fact she connected me with the travel agent who set up my flight from Minneapolis to Newark to Istanbul to Baku. Leaving early March 17th and arriving the evening of March 18th in Baku!

My mind was going so fast after that phone call that I bundled up against the latest snowstorm and headed over to the Y to walk, walk, walk! So many things on my mind from packing to arranging with someone to stay in my condo for 3 months. I sent out a "mass" email and later discovered some names were missing from my "friends and family" group. 

One essential thing was to call my 99 year old mother with my news. We had a great chat (which always includes politics) and I know she's looking forward to again sharing my printed emails with her mealtime friends. Here's a photo of us together last Fall. 

Once again my friend Pearly will faithfully print and mail my emails to mother. I plan to supply Pearly with paper, envelopes, stamps, and an ink cartridge or two before I leave.

On the Azerbaijan end, the Housing Coordinator has phone numbers for my English teachers and is arranging housing for me in Masalli with a host family. PC staff in Baku has been the best.

But this time I have different expectations compared to my initial Peace Corps experience. I know the community, the teachers and students, and much about the housing and what life will be like. I am really excited to see everyone again especially my former host family and other volunteers.

And best of all, I will arrive just in time for the first day of Spring! Novrus! The best place in the world to be is Azerbaijan for celebrating Spring! Truly a new beginning!