Sunday, September 13, 2015

My Love Affair with the South of France



“Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere.” ― Isabelle Eberhardt




I must finally admit to my ongoing love affair with the South of France.

I'm in love with it's colors, its fragrance, its allure.
I long for it, miss it, dream of it.
I long for the colors, the air, the sound of the language, the food, the outdoor cafes, and the beautiful people.
But most of all, I long for the sea.
La Mer.
















Friday, January 9, 2015

Azer-By-Where?

Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku, Azerbaijan
With just two days to decide before leaving for Europe last August, I accepted this 3 month teaching job in Azerbaijan. When I tell people where I was, it usually doesn't register.  So here's a map.  Surrounded by Russia, Georgia, Armenia (with whom they have an ongoing conflict), Turkey, and Iran, and bordered on the East by the Caspian Sea.


The government of Azerbaijan has invested a great deal of money into building a modern city capable of attracting tourists and businesses.  Besides the Heyday Aliyev building shown above which was designed by Iraqi-British architect, Zaha Hadid, and which spells out the name of the former president when viewed from above). My other favorite in Baku are the Flame Towers, a set of three towering structures designed to resemble flames.  These towers are made to light up at night as if aflame.  Baku, the city of fire.  



Last, but not least, was my job in Baku.  Working with teachers and students from Khazar University.  

Some of my lovely teachers/students at Khazar University
http://www.khazar.org