１月までホストファミリーと一緒に住むつもりだから何か郵便で送ったらこの住所に送ってください。
Chris Polen, PCT
AZ 1000
Main PO Box 77
Peace Corps
Baku, Azerbaijan
何か届いたら税金が入ちゃうから高価そうなものを送らないでね。手紙でも写真でも日本料理でも読みやすい漫画を送ったら、すごい嬉しいよ。
September 17, 2008
September 16, 2008
Mailing address
Until December I'll be staying with a host family while job & language training in one of the larger cities(still don't know which). If ya'll ever want to send me something it should be sent to the main offices in Baku at -
Chris Polen, PCT
AZ 1000
Main PO Box 77
Peace Corps
Baku, Azerbaijan
HELPFUL HINTS
1. Customs Taxes - Are sometimes assessed on incoming packages so anything sent should be taken out of its package, marked as used on any forms, and the value marked as low. Any customs taxes that are assesed have to be paid by me at the post office before I can get the package.
2. Theft - Rare but it happens. If you send something that can be dismantled or separated, do so. i.e. Separate a pair of shoes into two different boxes and send them on consecutive days.
3. Missing letters/packages - Try to consecutively number anything you send so we can tell if something doesn't arrive.
4. Ideas - It's been suggested by other Volunteers that nicer items be packed in something that an inspector might choose to not open. A tampon box, for example. Or to label a box as containing educational or religious materials and perhaps writing a passage from the Bible or Koran on the outside of the box.
5. Prices/Restrictions -
None of the above is really a big worry. The huge majority of Volunteers never have any problem at all. AZ is reportedly very reliable in comparison to some of the African and South American countries but better safe than I not get my box of Girl Scout Cookies, boxers & Lost Season 4 DVD.
Ya'll will learn my new address just as soon as I do.
Chris Polen, PCT
AZ 1000
Main PO Box 77
Peace Corps
Baku, Azerbaijan
HELPFUL HINTS
1. Customs Taxes - Are sometimes assessed on incoming packages so anything sent should be taken out of its package, marked as used on any forms, and the value marked as low. Any customs taxes that are assesed have to be paid by me at the post office before I can get the package.
2. Theft - Rare but it happens. If you send something that can be dismantled or separated, do so. i.e. Separate a pair of shoes into two different boxes and send them on consecutive days.
3. Missing letters/packages - Try to consecutively number anything you send so we can tell if something doesn't arrive.
4. Ideas - It's been suggested by other Volunteers that nicer items be packed in something that an inspector might choose to not open. A tampon box, for example. Or to label a box as containing educational or religious materials and perhaps writing a passage from the Bible or Koran on the outside of the box.
5. Prices/Restrictions -
- Postcard = $.95
- Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope = $11.96
- Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Box = $38.95
- Priority Mail International Large Flat-Rate Box = $49.95
None of the above is really a big worry. The huge majority of Volunteers never have any problem at all. AZ is reportedly very reliable in comparison to some of the African and South American countries but better safe than I not get my box of Girl Scout Cookies, boxers & Lost Season 4 DVD.
Ya'll will learn my new address just as soon as I do.
September 14, 2008
最初
これは俺の初めって日本語ブローグだ。 ５年間日本の関西に住んでいたのにまだ日本語下手だから練習のために書く。できれば、月一回日本語ブローグを書いてみる。よろしくおねがいします！
８月まで伊勢市のまわりにある学校に英語を教えた。そんの時は楽しかった、いっぱい習って、友達いっぱいなって、美しいな彼女になって、生徒はほとんどいい子し仕事もよかったが５年後、状況の変化が必要になちゃった。
だから、契約が終わってきたら帰国した。９月２２日から４０人ぐらいのボランティアと一緒アメリカの青年海外協力隊（Peace Corps = 平和部隊）に入って、アゼルバイジャンへ働きに行くつもり。 あそこに地域社会経済発展顧問(Community Economic Development Advisor)って言う仕事する。始めって３ヶ月ホストファミリーと住んでいってアゼルバイジャン語や仕事のことを勉強する。 それから、アゼルバイジャンにある違う町へ引っ越して２年間働く。
１９日からペンシルバニア州へ行って他のボランティアと会って準備する。すぐでしょう（汗）荷物はほとんど準備できたけど何か忘れてちょっと心配してる。
早くできるでも次のブローグ書いてみるよ。 それまでよかったら僕の日本語を直してください。
クリス
８月まで伊勢市のまわりにある学校に英語を教えた。そんの時は楽しかった、いっぱい習って、友達いっぱいなって、美しいな彼女になって、生徒はほとんどいい子し仕事もよかったが５年後、状況の変化が必要になちゃった。
だから、契約が終わってきたら帰国した。９月２２日から４０人ぐらいのボランティアと一緒アメリカの青年海外協力隊（Peace Corps = 平和部隊）に入って、アゼルバイジャンへ働きに行くつもり。 あそこに地域社会経済発展顧問(Community Economic Development Advisor)って言う仕事する。始めって３ヶ月ホストファミリーと住んでいってアゼルバイジャン語や仕事のことを勉強する。 それから、アゼルバイジャンにある違う町へ引っ越して２年間働く。
１９日からペンシルバニア州へ行って他のボランティアと会って準備する。すぐでしょう（汗）荷物はほとんど準備できたけど何か忘れてちょっと心配してる。
早くできるでも次のブローグ書いてみるよ。 それまでよかったら僕の日本語を直してください。
クリス
September 13, 2008
Staging
Staging is where all the volunteers who will go to AZ this year meet for 2-3 days of training in Philadelphia. We are the 6th group of PC volunteers to go there, hence we are known as AZ6. I think there will be between 30-60 volunteers in this group. 45 I think is close but I could be completely wrong.
Staging Schedule:
20 09 2008
13:00 Registration
15-19:00 Welcome/Training
Welcome & Intro
PC Approach to Development
Personal Definitions of Success
Safety & Support
Anxieties & Aspirations
Nuts & Bolts
21 09 2008
8:30 - 12
Coping w/ Unwanted Attention
Managing Risk
Policies in Practice
LUNCH
13:30-18
Change 5 Things
Crossing Cultures
Staging Capstone
Bridge to PreService Training
Logistics of Departure
Evaluation & Closing
22 09 2008
12:00 Bus from Philly to JFK airport
21:35 Flight to Frankfurt
The flight is supposed to be about 8hrs. A couple hour layover before a 4.5hr flight to Baku.
What happens after that I dunno but in years past they all got on buses and went to spend a couple days in the Olympic Training Stadium.
As the only flight that could get me from MSP to Philly in time took off at 6:00 and Friday flights are expensive I get to fly into Philly a day early and stay in the Sheraton(where staging is) for free. Never been to Philly. It'll be nice to see the Liberty Bell, eat a cheese-steak sandwich, and do/see whatever is good in Philly. Any suggestions?
Staging Schedule:
20 09 2008
13:00 Registration
15-19:00 Welcome/Training
Welcome & Intro
PC Approach to Development
Personal Definitions of Success
Safety & Support
Anxieties & Aspirations
Nuts & Bolts
21 09 2008
8:30 - 12
Coping w/ Unwanted Attention
Managing Risk
Policies in Practice
LUNCH
13:30-18
Change 5 Things
Crossing Cultures
Staging Capstone
Bridge to PreService Training
Logistics of Departure
Evaluation & Closing
22 09 2008
12:00 Bus from Philly to JFK airport
21:35 Flight to Frankfurt
The flight is supposed to be about 8hrs. A couple hour layover before a 4.5hr flight to Baku.
What happens after that I dunno but in years past they all got on buses and went to spend a couple days in the Olympic Training Stadium.
As the only flight that could get me from MSP to Philly in time took off at 6:00 and Friday flights are expensive I get to fly into Philly a day early and stay in the Sheraton(where staging is) for free. Never been to Philly. It'll be nice to see the Liberty Bell, eat a cheese-steak sandwich, and do/see whatever is good in Philly. Any suggestions?
Azerbaijan
Look here to read the Wikipedia page.
Here is a map: (click here for a great copyrighted map)
As you can see, Azerbaijan is just north of Iran, just south of Russia, the Caspian Sea on the east is where all the Beluga Caviar comes from and also borders Georgia where we have seen the recent war with Russia over two provinces. It should be noted here that Azerbaijan is a stable country that hasnt experienced any armed conflict since the early '90s when, soon after the dissolution of the USSR, Azerbaijan(AZ) and Armenia experienced a conflict over the south-western regions. See the Wikipedia pages for more info.
Quick Facts:
Official Name Republic of Azerbaijan
Population 8,239,000
Capital City Baku (1,24 million)
Languages Azeri, Russian, others
Official Currency Manat
Religions Muslim 93%, Athiest/Agnostic, Christian, Jew, Zoroastrian, others
Land Area 89,600 sq km (33,436 sq miles)
Note: this includes the Naxcivan Republic, southwest of Armenia.
- Has 9 of the world's 11 climactic zones.
- More ethnic/lingustic Azeris live in Iran than in Azerbaijan.
- Prior to the 1900's produced more than half the worlds oil and still produces allot.
- Due to Soviet neglect and exploitation the penninsula upon which the capital, Baku, can be found is considered by many to be 'the most polluted place on earth'.
- Temperatures can range from 40C to -40C depending on the season.
Here is the flag:
Here is a map: (click here for a great copyrighted map)
As you can see, Azerbaijan is just north of Iran, just south of Russia, the Caspian Sea on the east is where all the Beluga Caviar comes from and also borders Georgia where we have seen the recent war with Russia over two provinces. It should be noted here that Azerbaijan is a stable country that hasnt experienced any armed conflict since the early '90s when, soon after the dissolution of the USSR, Azerbaijan(AZ) and Armenia experienced a conflict over the south-western regions. See the Wikipedia pages for more info.
Quick Facts:
Official Name Republic of Azerbaijan
Population 8,239,000
Capital City Baku (1,24 million)
Languages Azeri, Russian, others
Official Currency Manat
Religions Muslim 93%, Athiest/Agnostic, Christian, Jew, Zoroastrian, others
Land Area 89,600 sq km (33,436 sq miles)
Note: this includes the Naxcivan Republic, southwest of Armenia.
- Random Fun Facts -
- AZ is about the same size as Maine.- Has 9 of the world's 11 climactic zones.
- More ethnic/lingustic Azeris live in Iran than in Azerbaijan.
- Prior to the 1900's produced more than half the worlds oil and still produces allot.
- Due to Soviet neglect and exploitation the penninsula upon which the capital, Baku, can be found is considered by many to be 'the most polluted place on earth'.
- Temperatures can range from 40C to -40C depending on the season.
Statement of Purpose
To quote the Peace Corps website -
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:
1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
In pursuit of the third goal I'll be writing this blog to share stories and observations from my time "over there". This is my first time to write a blog so excuse any clumsy mistakes and inevitable spelling mistakes. I will also be writing in 日本語 for all my J-friends and students.
I will try to organize this blog into a few categories.
1. WORK - An area that seems to get skipped over in most Peace Corps blogs I've read. I hope to write a bit about the day-to-day details of what a "Community Economic Development(CED) Advisor does. This may be of no interest to anybody except those who may someday join to do the same work.
2. CULTURE - This could be anything from boring details about what kind of hat one should where on National Founding Day, to the slightly more interesting details of how one uses a 'squatter toilet', to a detailed description of how roasted lamb's eyeball tastes.
3. PERSONAL - If I dont know you skip this part. Its none of your business.
4. OTHER - As noted above, Im a blog virgin so I dont what I'll write about, how much I'll write, how I'll write it, etc.
As writing this is technically part of my job I will try to write at least one post per week and to upload it ASAP. But I dont know what kind of internet (electricity, water, heat....) access I will have.
Its important to note that the semi-diplomatic nature of the job I will have to censor myself regarding some some of the things I write. All opinions expressed here obviously do not reflect those of the US government, the AZ government, the Peace Corps, and due to the afore mentioned censorship may not reflect those of myself nor reality. Others have been kicked out of the Corps for reporting undiplomatic observations and opinions.
You have been warned.
Stay tuned.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:
1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
In pursuit of the third goal I'll be writing this blog to share stories and observations from my time "over there". This is my first time to write a blog so excuse any clumsy mistakes and inevitable spelling mistakes. I will also be writing in 日本語 for all my J-friends and students.
I will try to organize this blog into a few categories.
1. WORK - An area that seems to get skipped over in most Peace Corps blogs I've read. I hope to write a bit about the day-to-day details of what a "Community Economic Development(CED) Advisor does. This may be of no interest to anybody except those who may someday join to do the same work.
2. CULTURE - This could be anything from boring details about what kind of hat one should where on National Founding Day, to the slightly more interesting details of how one uses a 'squatter toilet', to a detailed description of how roasted lamb's eyeball tastes.
3. PERSONAL - If I dont know you skip this part. Its none of your business.
4. OTHER - As noted above, Im a blog virgin so I dont what I'll write about, how much I'll write, how I'll write it, etc.
As writing this is technically part of my job I will try to write at least one post per week and to upload it ASAP. But I dont know what kind of internet (electricity, water, heat....) access I will have.
Its important to note that the semi-diplomatic nature of the job I will have to censor myself regarding some some of the things I write. All opinions expressed here obviously do not reflect those of the US government, the AZ government, the Peace Corps, and due to the afore mentioned censorship may not reflect those of myself nor reality. Others have been kicked out of the Corps for reporting undiplomatic observations and opinions.
You have been warned.
Stay tuned.
September 12, 2008
First Post.
Testing, testing, 123, testing.
日本語もできるかなー？ できそうね。
Dont knoü hoü to ürite in Azeri yet but can İ uase the text in Blogger,
日本語もできるかなー？ できそうね。
Dont knoü hoü to ürite in Azeri yet but can İ uase the text in Blogger,
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