exploring...

I know that you are all preparing to end your school year-- you are so lucky!! However, I wanted to give you a few more tidbits of information about Baku before you embark on your summer journeys.

I recently went to the Mud Volcanoes in Azerbaijan. They are located outside of Baku, near the town of Gobustan. I recently read that there are a little over 700 volcanoes of this type in the world, and 300 of them are located in Azerbaijan. That is an amazing fact!

The volcanoes were so intriguing. They continuously bubble and make interesting noises-- and the mud is COLD. We were playing in them -- which probably wasn't the most sanitary thing to do because the eruptions (constant bubbling) are caused from gases making their way to the surface.




The volcanoes we climbed and "played" in were relatively small and seemed harmless. However, there are stories of people driving to close to the site and the car(s) slowly sinking into the depths. I am sure that there are a lot of old cars somewhere in the depths of the muddy/oily terrain.



It was quite impressive and mysterious-- these volcanoes are natural wonders. As I read a bit about them I found that in 2001 there was a massive eruption of the volcanoes. You should check out the following link and read up on it..... BBC News Report

The mud volcanoes would make a great field trip-- and I would love to have each of you experience them for real-- but traveling to their site is quite tricky and the roads are extremely rough-- buses wouldn't make it. They can be reached by foot as well-- but there isn't a set path. We were lucky we stumbled upon them after an hour and a half of traveling on the "rocky" mountains trails.



We also visited Gobustan again. The place where the petroglyphs can be found. It is truly a great part of history (one that I don't fully comprehend)-- the people who lived centuries ago really knew how to create, tell, and preserve their life stories. It makes me wonder what sort of things people in centuries to come will think about the reminentance of what we have left behind. What stories will our "stuff" tell them??



The cave drawings are said to have been discovered in the 1930's by quarry workers (prisoners from the nearby prison). The workers would climb a ladder to gain to access the quarry and work. We climbed the shaky ladder (even though the sign painted on the rock warned us not to climb it because it was dangerous) to the top and found the deserted quarry.





I hope to be in touch a few more times before summer comes-- so keep checking for updates.

Peace Tree

Hello Madison,

I just wanted to share some photos of the last project my homeroom has taken on.... they made a PEACE TREE. They are celebrating differences in cultures, religions, peoples, countries, traditions, and customs by learning about and promoting peace. The tree was made on Friday (the 13th of all times), but the learning and symbols of peace that will adorn the tree started in October of 2008.

It would be great if you could participate with us! I thought that having all of you help would be such a wonderful symbol of the unity between cultures and a great way to make the ties between Madison and BIS stronger. Your job would be to create an ornament of some sort that represents or could represent peace or a symbol of love and unity. Somewhere on or attached to your peace ornament should be an explanation of why that is a symbol of peace, what it means, and the significance that it holds. You will also want to put your name it or a picture, so that you will be well represented at BIS, in AZERBAIJAN.

Talk to Miss Foster about this project... I know she will help you along.

PEACE OUT! :)

GoogleEarth... shots of Baku

My brother was trying to pinpoint my exact location on GoogleEarth last night-- and in the process, he sent some pictures. It was difficult for me to get him close to my place because of the language differences (spellings and such aren't quite the same)- but we managed. To really see the pictures (because I know they are small)-- click on them and they should enlarge.

This is a picture of my street. When you find the white "C" shaped buildings, you have found my apartments. If you take the road directly in front of my apartments to the right-- all the way to the end of the picture-- you will find my school. It is pretty amazing that I was actually able to locate those two places from above-- because I can barely find them from below!! :)



This is a bit closer... but of the same area...



This is even closer... but it is of my school-- the school is to the left of the big patch of trees, right on the corner.

Black January

January 20th is a day of remembrance and recognition in Baku and all of Azerbaijan because it marks the end of a the terrible events that occurred in January of 1990. The loss of innocent civilians' lives-- when Soviet troops entered Baku under "false pretenses"-- is remembered and the people are honored.

I have attached some informational sites- so that you all can read up on the events.... of course these are just some of the many sites out there on 'Black January'.

January 20th
Black January

After visiting Shahidlar Khiyabani (Martyr's Cemetary)-- I understand the meaning behind this day of mourning and the its importance to the people here-- ultimately the events that occurred in January of 1990 solidified Azerbaijan's desire to separate from the Soviet Union. AND in 1991 Azerbaijan declared its independence.

Winter Break Ends...

Well, I am sure you are all adjusting to being back in school and beginning your new year on the right foot! My students haven't returned yet.... we officially start on Monday. I have to tell you, it is a little hard to go back after such a long vacation-- but I am looking forward to hearing all about the trips and celebrations the students participated in.

Many of my students returned to their home countries for winter break-- Romania, Japan, Russian, etc.... so I am excited to hear their stories and see their pictures. I am also looking forward to sharing my new experiences-- I traveled to The United Kingdom (London) and Ireland (Dublin). The world is our oyster-- travel when you can because it is amazing!

If I understood Miss Foster correctly... I should be talking with you guys sometime on Friday. Hopefully, you have started the new year off right and are able to participate in the conversations-- I look forward to hearing all about your cold, wintery weather and all about your holidays.