I was waiting until I received the next piece of Peace Corps mail, my instructions on how to make travel arrangements to Philadelphia, but I grew impatient (who, me?), so....

There is an address you can send letters (lots and lots of letters!) to during my pre-service training
(June 27-Sept. 10).

I don't want to post it here for all to see, so feel free to email me if you want it.

I will receive mail about once a week (think: Americorps). They ask that no large packages (books etc.) be mailed until after training (so not to this address). I ask that too, since I'm going to be carrying everything with me to my new home once training is over.

Now I'm just waiting for that letter and studying Azeri. I now know more Azeri than any other foreign language. How useful!

Also, here is something I found from a fellow blogger (http://vera-causa.blogspot.com/) about Azeri cuisine:

Traditional food in Azerbaijan includes bread, pancakes and thick soups. Pilaf (plov), both savory and sweet, is a favorite in Azerbaijan. The savory pilaf is prepared using rice with meat, or fish, and vegetables and spices; the sweet version often contains dried apricots and raisins (which are also used on occasions to flavor meat recipes).

Spiced poultry, lamb, mutton and beef are featured prominently in Azerbaijani cuisine. Kebabs and lamb, or pressed minced meat, grilled on skewers are popular. Minced meat is also combined with rice to stuff aubergines, cabbage leaves and vine leaves. Savoury pastries filled with vegetables make a tasty snack. Vegetables, such as aubergines and tomatoes are often pickled. Dairy products, for example, yogurt and "kurut", a dried type of cottage cheese, are used in recipes.

Cakes and sweets include baklava and halva. Fruits available are apples, cherries, grapes, melons, raspberries, plums and peaches.

Sherbet drinks are very popular; mineral waters are available and sweet black tea is a favourite drink.