To the sea!!!

So, back in winter Jake and I tried to walk from his town of Xachmaz to the Caspian sea ( I don't know how far that is, look it up) sadly despite our enthusiasm and determination the snow storm got the best of us and we were forced to turn around. Flashforward toMonday. We decided in honor of Heydar's birthday we would attempt the walk again by in honor I mean we had the day off work). This time the weather was perfect. It was cloudy but not cold, no sunburns or frostbite. It was a really nice walk. We followed the Quydial river (sort of) and ran into turtles, frogs, lizards, donkeies, rabbits, horses, and people. We got invited to tea three times on the way out to the sea but we were on a mission and had to decline.

Pretty right? Lots of flowers and nature, all that business. Unfortunately we ran into another smaller river that flows into the Quydial and had to cross it. Our first option was this pipe that goes over the gorge to the river:
We decided instead to go to the smaller river, cross the log that was only about 3 feet above the water. Unfortunatly the other side was covered in throny bushes. Whatever, we walked through them.
So the walk was really nice, very pretty and totally fun. However when we got to the sea it was a bit of a disappointment. Welcome to beautiful Azerbaijan!

Do you know where your meat comes from?

Because I do. I get reminders whenever I walk down the street.

Things you can buy for a manat at the bazar

Self Explanitory

New place

Yesterday I moved into a new house. It is not my own but I get way more space than with a host family. I live in a room in the downstairs of a house. There are 4 people that live upstairs. My room has my own bed, couse, fridge, stove, sink, table, and cupboards so it is pretty self contained. I do share the bathroom upstairs with the family but so far I can handle that. Mostly I'm sexcited to be able to cook for myself.

My "kitchen"

The rest.

Just try it!

This is an "instruction manual" for a product recently purchased in azerbaijan. If you can guess what these instructions are for I will send you one. I'm telling you now you probably won't get it but you can try.

More Novruz

March 21st was the actual Novruz day. I went to one of the villages and climbed up a big hill because apparently people do that every year. Half way up there were loads of people and they were making horses fight then running from the angry horses. We also drank water 3 times form the river. People were kissing trees and lighting candles, all very confusing to me.

Horse Fights

People doing stuff

Climbing the mountain with Sanan and the sitemates

The hill we climbed

Novruz, Novruz, Novruz

So Friday March 20th was Novruz Eve and Quba had a big celebration with bonfires and ballons, after that we went to a friends house for another bonfire and some dancing. It was fun and there was lots of tea and candy.

Orxan jumping the fire (he didn't quite clear it)

Letting baloons go near the mosque

Big bonfire in the middle of town