Me and Gulnaz (co teacher) in Qebala.
The Caucausus from Vafa's village near Qebala. Vafa is Gulnaz's friend we went to visit for the day.
Me teaching Vafa's kids B-I-N-G-O.
Vafa's eye gate.
The first of many Novruz celebrations in Mingechevir
Huge bonfire at sunset.
Nate, Mariko and me walking down an empty Heydar Aliyev street.
Nate, Mariko and me.
The last Thursday of Novruz, all the schools in Ming dressed up and went to the big square for another celebration. There was karate (check out the girls!!)....
Wrestling (check out the uniforms!)...
Boxing...
Some of my students at the School #13 presentation.
Jesse and I loved these little girls dancing and looking like shiny ducks!
Some of the students from another school dressed in traditional Azeri costumes.
More traditional Azeri stuff...
I liked the redhead Azeri girl. School #9 had a good set up.
There were tightrope walkers and clowns!
Ahhhh...
There was much dancing.
I think these are most of the kids from my school who went... cute, huh?
Tightrope.
School #13 Represents!
These are two common costumes at Novruz: the guy with the hat and the bald guy.
Jesse, our friend Leyla and another bald guy and another guy with a hat.
My school director and a big wig and students.
Horse race at the cold, windy, dirty stadium.
The horses are really short and scruffy.
Lots of people liked the horses!
In March our yard was a beautiful garden of cotton candy and snow flowers!
This is me counting and organizing the 65 kids who showed up to participate in the Trans Caucausus Writing Olympics at my school!
This is my school... looks nice, yes? I was so happy so many kids came to write... 65 kids from 12 different schools!
Hard at work!
Persimmon bud
Persimmon flower.
Persimmon flowers.
Nar (pomegranate) bud.
Kiwi leaf (the fruit.. not the New Zealanders... hi Dan and Nina!)
Grapes.
Baby cherries!
