I am now officially one month into my new life here in Baku, the first month was far from easy and I will do my best to recap in a short sweet version of all my dramatic events lol, so once I got off the plane 26 hours of traveling time later, I was picked up by two men one is the director of my team, Zaur, and the other is Shine, he is the interpretter and I am so grateful for him and his English. They asked me how I was feeling and wanted to know if I was willing to go to practice today, of course I said "Yes" I couldn't wait to move around again being 6'1 and sitting in an airplane for that long is a sure way to get one excited about exercising lol, but I did request a nap first, which I got. So as for the ride from the airport to my new apartment I was definitely culture shocked, first of all there were people littered every where, sprinting across the streets barely making it without being hit by cars I gasped a couple times cause I thought for sure our driver was going to kill someone! I was beyond curious at this point and started drilling the interpretter with questions like "why are there so many people standing on the streets and in the middle of the roads, and why isn't he driving in his lane, what is every one waiting for?" The interpretter couldn't understand ANYTHING I was asking and for anyone that knows me this isn't because he doesn't understand English but because I talk so fast my career should be in auctioning, :) and so for the next three weeks him and I have been working together on this, I am trying to SLOW down A LOT lol so that he can hear the words that I'm saying and he is trying to listen FASTER. Anyways back to the drive into Baku I saw many beautiful buildings and interesting people but the city is so very much different than any where else I have every been! The streets have a lot of dirt and trash even tho there are people cleaning this up it's not enough, the clothing isn't all burkas and turbans, like I stereotypically thought I would find, the woman actually are very fashionable and I have been impressed with their outfits occasionally you will see the full body cat woman leather suit but sides that they'd give Samantha from sex and the city a run for her money!
The men on the other hand are nothing like I've seen before many many many a unibrow and I am taller than 99.74837% of the population, showering seems to be of little importance as does deodorant! I wish it wasn't rude to carry around a can of Axe body spray for men and spritz a little without the men noticing haha but alas I am slowly adjusting to the rancid smell, not to say that all of them or unhygenic but the majority could use a good wax and hot shower!
So after being picked up and chauffeured to my new apartment, I was in for a huge surprise the place was very old and there were many things unsanitary and disgusting about where I was living for the first two weeks! I won't go into too much detail because I have been moved and I am now IN LOVE with my new apartment it's so perfect and I couldn't be happier, I have a king size bed and beautiful armoire a fabulous little vanity table and mirror, also a great view of parts of the city from my balcony! I will definitely add pictures so everyone can see!
I walked into practice very anxious because even though I have done well for myself throughout my volleyball career, and proven through statistics and achievements that I can play a high level, anytime I go to a tryout or into a new gym to play I wonder how good I am compared to everyone else I get nervous maybe I'll play bad or he won't like me, you know normal feelings of anxiety and on top of those feelings knowing that no one will understand my language and I that I can't understand them doesn't help break the ice in the least!
Luckily there was already an American here and her name is Sherisa, she probably read all over my face that I had no idea what was going on and gracefully called me over to her, saying hello and told me to sit next to her and stretch like all the other girls were doing. When she spoke english to me from across the gym a huge smile broke out on my face and I literally skipped like a school girl across the gym to sit next to her and talk! She introduced herself and started naming off all the other girls around the circle, being that oddly I was never formally introduced to anyone really. Which is quite unusal for me, especially since we are a team usually the coach will introduce the new player but nope, not here! I just jumped right in head first and started swimming lol and I haven't drowned yet either. So far I am making great friends with the girls on my team, the majority of them speak Russian/Bulgarian one speaks Polish, one Turkish, and then there is a Canadian, her and I both speak English. Sadly Sherisa did not end up staying here and I am now the only American. I am adjusting quite well though and loving the girls more everyday!
I have lots more to talk about but it's late here and being that I have a cold and didn't make it to practice today I must get some rest I will do my best to continue this saga tomorrow! :) Take care all,
God Bless
Lots of Love!
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