So, I think I ramble when I'm drunk....
(I'm posting this morning now what I wrote last night.)
June 9, 2006 evening
You guys were about to get your first drunk posting! Lucky dogs. But the internet isn't workign right now. I did that earlier post today, June 9, not Thursday June 8th like it said. So, tonight was the first World Cup game—1800 in Germany so 2100 here. I went home at 2000 just to get a break from the office. We were there after that yummy breakfast I described, but still it was a long day. Great lunch too, but I don’t want to make you feel bad about the burger king or subway you had for lunch…. So I came back to the hotel (which is a far cry from my hotel in Baku, but still has a fridge to keep my beers and shish kabobs from spoiling. I’m reading this great book from Cori about a woman pilot in east Africa in the mid-1930’s. Its dope. But I read that, had one of my delicious beers from Baku, but supported by the French beer company Castel, and dozed. Then went back to the office to watch the first game tonight on a big TV, bought just for the World Cup--gotta love the Training line item in budgets— with all of our male staff and country director. (By the way, did anyone else notice how hot #5 on Germany was. Goodness me!) The beers here are not small. The smallest is 33 oz, I think. Good times.
I showed up in my Brazil warm up jacket (long story) and started with the Ole ole ole oleeeee, etc. That got everyone fired up and I was passed my first even larger beer, a 40 ouncer, or something similar. Following quickly after that bottle was a tray of meat and various oil-fried vegetables and fruits, and Ganja specialty sausagey-like thing. I put it all away, and thus warranted my first vodka shot. (Russian is whats spoken in Baku, but in outlying areas its Azeri.) They first asked me if I like vwetkeh. I smelled trouble coming so I said no, but I think they detected my smile at just the mention of the name vwetkeh, and before I knew it it was in my hand. And that's as far as I'll go on this family blog....
I am picking up more Russian words than just those related to intoxication. I love learning the phrases and intonations of new languages. Like getting the right inflection for ‘da’ (yes, yeah? of course, and?, etc.) And same with niet. Spazibas for thank you is one of my favorites, but also the Azeri words are fun too. I think I’ve gotten down what you need to know: yes, no, where is…, please, thank you, thank you very much, I’m sorry, toilet, its delicious, lets go, very beautiful, what's your name? my name is, just a minute, and numbers help too. So, my list has begun.
But its funny the great relationships you can have with people without speaking their language. The Ganja office cook and I are like long-lost soul mates—I couldn’t love her more. And there are just physical maneuvers of deference that go a long way too—like smiling, and hand to the chest w/ slight bow. I keep wanting to say Arabic words—they are so easy and flow off the tongue, but not here. Although some people know some Arabic from Uzbekistan, and other former-Soviet but Islamic countries.
Tomorrow is a conference for one of the USAID-sponsored programs on emergency service development. My emergency dept. nursing experience has been relied up and utilized, so that’s nice. I spent all day today, oh wait, I don’t even want to talk about it still. Anyway, we should be back in Baku Saturday night our time (while you are just getting up, or not) and we will probably hit some bars in Baku for more futbol. Then Sunday will be relaxation—I think hitting the Hyatt pool for some sunshine and fun—can’t wait.
Have lovely weekends everyone!
June 9, 2006 evening
You guys were about to get your first drunk posting! Lucky dogs. But the internet isn't workign right now. I did that earlier post today, June 9, not Thursday June 8th like it said. So, tonight was the first World Cup game—1800 in Germany so 2100 here. I went home at 2000 just to get a break from the office. We were there after that yummy breakfast I described, but still it was a long day. Great lunch too, but I don’t want to make you feel bad about the burger king or subway you had for lunch…. So I came back to the hotel (which is a far cry from my hotel in Baku, but still has a fridge to keep my beers and shish kabobs from spoiling. I’m reading this great book from Cori about a woman pilot in east Africa in the mid-1930’s. Its dope. But I read that, had one of my delicious beers from Baku, but supported by the French beer company Castel, and dozed. Then went back to the office to watch the first game tonight on a big TV, bought just for the World Cup--gotta love the Training line item in budgets— with all of our male staff and country director. (By the way, did anyone else notice how hot #5 on Germany was. Goodness me!) The beers here are not small. The smallest is 33 oz, I think. Good times.
I showed up in my Brazil warm up jacket (long story) and started with the Ole ole ole oleeeee, etc. That got everyone fired up and I was passed my first even larger beer, a 40 ouncer, or something similar. Following quickly after that bottle was a tray of meat and various oil-fried vegetables and fruits, and Ganja specialty sausagey-like thing. I put it all away, and thus warranted my first vodka shot. (Russian is whats spoken in Baku, but in outlying areas its Azeri.) They first asked me if I like vwetkeh. I smelled trouble coming so I said no, but I think they detected my smile at just the mention of the name vwetkeh, and before I knew it it was in my hand. And that's as far as I'll go on this family blog....
I am picking up more Russian words than just those related to intoxication. I love learning the phrases and intonations of new languages. Like getting the right inflection for ‘da’ (yes, yeah? of course, and?, etc.) And same with niet. Spazibas for thank you is one of my favorites, but also the Azeri words are fun too. I think I’ve gotten down what you need to know: yes, no, where is…, please, thank you, thank you very much, I’m sorry, toilet, its delicious, lets go, very beautiful, what's your name? my name is, just a minute, and numbers help too. So, my list has begun.
But its funny the great relationships you can have with people without speaking their language. The Ganja office cook and I are like long-lost soul mates—I couldn’t love her more. And there are just physical maneuvers of deference that go a long way too—like smiling, and hand to the chest w/ slight bow. I keep wanting to say Arabic words—they are so easy and flow off the tongue, but not here. Although some people know some Arabic from Uzbekistan, and other former-Soviet but Islamic countries.
Tomorrow is a conference for one of the USAID-sponsored programs on emergency service development. My emergency dept. nursing experience has been relied up and utilized, so that’s nice. I spent all day today, oh wait, I don’t even want to talk about it still. Anyway, we should be back in Baku Saturday night our time (while you are just getting up, or not) and we will probably hit some bars in Baku for more futbol. Then Sunday will be relaxation—I think hitting the Hyatt pool for some sunshine and fun—can’t wait.
Have lovely weekends everyone!
posted by Carey McCarthy at 9:36 AM
6 Comments:
good morning. sounds like just another night in madison.... the Togo guys are going nuts with Togo in the world cup. They are on soccer fields all day long. I had forgotten about the very very short flippy shorts.... cold and rainy here. Love reading your pleasure with your experiences. stay safe!
kiddo check all comments to see mine from an overall comment not specific to this one
Will you insert googlemaps links into the place names you blog about, that we can click on to see, on a map, where you are? My knowledge of the cities and geography of, uh, where you are is of course excellent, but who knows some less knowledgable readers might find it helpful....
Abe, excellent suggestion. IT Macistant is ON IT.
quoting you: I spent all day today, oh wait, I don’t even want to talk about it still.
What happened??
back from C-ville. drama. so glad you're liking the book!!!
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