The Six Degrees of Being a PCV...

Even though I've been here almost two years, sometimes it still surprises me who and how many people know me after spending my entire life in the anonymity that is the States. It can be taxing because that means I'm essentially always on the job - I can't just anonymously run to the store if I need something because I'm guaranteed to see someone I know. But this can also be a very good thing...

The project I'm working on now entails taking a group of Azeri girls around the country. Basically, we're going on field trips to five different places. I reserved a bus and I have another adult going with me - sometimes Azeri, sometimes another PCV. With the leaders and participants our bus is full. Unfortunately this means some girls couldn't get permission to go because I wouldn't let their mother or aunt go along. And I'm okay with that, because these field trips are about new experiences - both new places and new things like travelling without a family member. Actually, the 12 girls who were able to get permission fit perfectly in the bus, so I didn't have to determine how to choose (even better)!

I know many of these girls' families, but some I don't. When I was giving out information and answering questions about the trips, I volunteered to go to their house, meet their parents, or anything that they needed. I understand completely that parents would have reservations about their child going off with someone they haven't met before. But it turns out it wasn't needed. I asked about it and was told that their parents have a relative who knows someone who lives on my street. And apparently that's enough to vouch for me - they see me coming and going, who else comes and goes, how I dress, and on and on. While in my mind that seems odd (because I have no idea who this neighbor is!), it's definitely working in my favor for this project and the few girls participating whose parents' I've never met.

Two trips down, three to go...details on the actual trips to come later!