Visiting a Local School
December 10, 2007
One of the teachers from AzETA asked me to visit her school. I agreed. I worked with kids for over seven years in Las Vegas, so kids in the Azerbaijan cannot be that overwhelming different, can they?
I made it to the school even if I got confused with the Metro. I did not realize that the 28th of May Metro connected to another metro station which was the one station that had the route to get to the school where I needed to go. I was trying to find the Metro in the wrong place for about 10 minutes before I tried to use my poor Azeri in getting directions. I finally found the place.
Some students were at the Metro stop and escorted me to the school. In retrospect, I wish that I would have brought my camera as it would have been nice to get a few shots of the students and the surroundings as well.
The school was very nice. In fact it was in better condition than Nakhchivan State University, where I worked last year. The school teaches children from 6-18 and all of the kids wear uniforms. Shortly after getting into the school, I was surrounded by students. They all wanted to talk to me. In Azerbaijan, the supply of English teachers does not meet the demand. I was an actual living and breathing opportunity to practice their English.
Eventually, I had to go and observe the AzETA's teachers class. The students were presenting on holidays. My favorite part was one group singing "Jingle Bells" with an Azeri accent. Afterwards, all of the kids wanted to show me their work and even more wanted to talk to me. It was then the end of their school day and all had to depart. Then, several teachers wanted to talk to me as well. I do not think I have ever had that many people wanting to talk to me at the same time.
I did agree to visit the school in the future and speak to some of the classes. Next time i will have to remember my camera.
I made it to the school even if I got confused with the Metro. I did not realize that the 28th of May Metro connected to another metro station which was the one station that had the route to get to the school where I needed to go. I was trying to find the Metro in the wrong place for about 10 minutes before I tried to use my poor Azeri in getting directions. I finally found the place.
Some students were at the Metro stop and escorted me to the school. In retrospect, I wish that I would have brought my camera as it would have been nice to get a few shots of the students and the surroundings as well.
The school was very nice. In fact it was in better condition than Nakhchivan State University, where I worked last year. The school teaches children from 6-18 and all of the kids wear uniforms. Shortly after getting into the school, I was surrounded by students. They all wanted to talk to me. In Azerbaijan, the supply of English teachers does not meet the demand. I was an actual living and breathing opportunity to practice their English.
Eventually, I had to go and observe the AzETA's teachers class. The students were presenting on holidays. My favorite part was one group singing "Jingle Bells" with an Azeri accent. Afterwards, all of the kids wanted to show me their work and even more wanted to talk to me. It was then the end of their school day and all had to depart. Then, several teachers wanted to talk to me as well. I do not think I have ever had that many people wanting to talk to me at the same time.
I did agree to visit the school in the future and speak to some of the classes. Next time i will have to remember my camera.
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I am not a religious person, but nevertheless I am fascinated with religious buildings. Here in Azerbaijan, most people automatically assume that I am a Christian because I am from the States. They are confused when I tell them that I am Agnostic. Nothing freaks religious people out more than someone who openly questions the existence of a deity. While I am content with my own religious questions, I believe in being a good person and treating other people well. I think most religions basically believe the same thing.
A mosque close to where i live is called Toyba. It is a small mosque but I keep passing it by and decided to stop by and take some photos. I was surprised that the leader of the mosque decided to give me a tour of the mosque. Muhammed was a very friendly individual and tried to speak with me in his limited English and I tried to answer in my limited Azeri. He sat me at his desk and asked about my job and family and proceeded to show the rest of the mosque. While it was nothing fancy when compared to the mosques of Turkey, it was still comfortable in its whiteness. Muhammed blessed me at the end of the tour and asked me to donate some money to help the sick, which I did. Overall, I enjoyed my time in the little mosque.
I was hoping to visit the Taza Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Azerbaijan, but it is currently being restored. I have no idea when it will be done, hopefully soon.
A mosque close to where i live is called Toyba. It is a small mosque but I keep passing it by and decided to stop by and take some photos. I was surprised that the leader of the mosque decided to give me a tour of the mosque. Muhammed was a very friendly individual and tried to speak with me in his limited English and I tried to answer in my limited Azeri. He sat me at his desk and asked about my job and family and proceeded to show the rest of the mosque. While it was nothing fancy when compared to the mosques of Turkey, it was still comfortable in its whiteness. Muhammed blessed me at the end of the tour and asked me to donate some money to help the sick, which I did. Overall, I enjoyed my time in the little mosque.
I was hoping to visit the Taza Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Azerbaijan, but it is currently being restored. I have no idea when it will be done, hopefully soon.
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