17 October 2006


ITS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME

to add a photo of this beauty near the northern coast of the Absheron peninsula, north of Baku, last weekend. This is a much less attractive swimming option then the nature reserve, a few pictures down from here.

posted by arthur @ 5:18 PM 0 comments



SCHOOL - LAHIJ STYLE

Ilana and some fellow TISA 4th and 5th graders visited a school in the village of Lahij in late September. Here is a photo of the group of visitors with the local class holding up their national flads. Our champ is clearly getting better nutrition than some others. We like to think she has pretty good genes, too. It is also interesting to note that at this school, as in most other places, the new black is the same as the old black. Ilana's pink shirt offers a stark contrast to the local garb.

posted by arthur @ 5:04 PM 0 comments




Shirvan National Reserve

A few photos from our visit to this park, in early October, about 150 km. southwest of Baku. As you will note, the park (like nearly anywhere else here) has oil rigs. Also interesting marshes and a beautiful beach but most importantly lots of 4 wheel driving when a certain individual dispersed Gazik to the back seat of the Toyota and took the wheel. Third photo shows the home team on an empty beach on the shore of the Caspian that may (or, then again, may not) be far enough away from Baku to be clean and safe to swim. Was a bit chilly so we'll have to come back and swim another time. Saw some deer and foxes and a significant amount of insect life. The park, like much of this country, "shows great potential". That is a euphemism.

posted by arthur @ 4:43 PM 0 comments