Winding down the school year.

So many things going on this past week – and yet to come! Not only did I help organize and plan the English Assembly (see previous post), but it was my host mother Valida's birthday on May 23rd and yesterday (May 25th) was a going away “surprise” party for sitemate Sally. How can it be a surprise that she is going back to America?

I had fun with Georgie and Igbal planning for their mother on her 31st birthday. I call her mother too, but they all call me nana (grandma #3). Go figure. I had paper and markers for Georgie to create a huge birthday card for her, we bought slices of cake with strawberry crème filling at a local bakery, and we also bought an exploding candle and lots of cookies to serve with tea. She always says the best present I give her is helping her sons improve their English. Gladly.

Another really big event was the going away party for Sally. It was organized by her English teacher Counterpart (and my former host mother) Konul, and she really went all out! She asked me to use a ruse to get Sally to come to a restaurant near Isti Su – a resort area near Masalli. There she had decorated a separate room, ordered a huge meal, and invited both students and teachers from Sally's school. I think there were about 40 people there.

Konul also had her daughter Aydan and son Layig perform several Azeri dances in traditional costumes. The 5 nearby PCVs were also invited, as well as 3 English teachers from my school. The meal was scrumptious with typical salads, chicken, kebabs, blintzes, and fruit juice. I'm surprised I didn't take any food photos.

After the meal and program, we went outside to another seating area for cake and tea and more photos. Did I mention Konul also hired a videographer? I want a copy of that! Several weeks ago I put over 100 photos on a flash drive and gave it to Konul. She had many photos printed and put into an album for Sally. There was also a large poster for everyone to sign.

We encountered a problem when it day ended, and that was getting enough taxis to take us back to Masalli. Konul had hired a marsrutka (mini-van) for the children, but the PCVs and several teachers were stranded – unable to call their regular taxis. So somehow we all squeezed into the marsrutka – boys standing in the aisle and girls sitting 2 to a seat! I just didn't have time to photo or count, but I'm guessing 20 of us crammed into it.

It was good to arrive back home to 2 lonely boys. They'd spent the day by themselves watching TV and playing on the computer. Their parents were in Baku for a wedding and wouldn't return until early Sunday morning.

Me with 2 of my English teachers at the party for Sally. 

May 27th begins the last week of school with Son Zeng (Last Bell) ceremony on Friday. I will announce plans for English fun for students during June. I suspect I will also be spending time in the village of Boradigah with the boys' grandma #1 as I countdown to July and COS on July 5th in Baku.