A little bit about me...

Hi my name is Raechelle, and I lived in the secular Muslim country of Azerbaijan as a Youth Development Volunteer for the Peace Corps for three years and three months. I am now the Administrator of the official Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Friends of Azerbaijan group. As such, I am working to promote Peace Corps third goal of helping promote a better understanding of Azerbaijani people to Americans.

I created this blog as a way for future Peace Corps Volunteers, my friends and family, and Americans in general to understand what life as a Peace Corps Volunteer is like. As part of the pilot program for Youth Development in Azerbaijan, my work in Azerbaijan was diverse to say the least. I took on a role as youth educator, mentor and promoter. I helped with academic advising, established informal youth service clubs, encouraged youth to be proactive in their communities, promoted volunteer-ism and making a positive contribution to their communities.

I served as an extended volunteer, meaning that I served a third year instead of the traditional two year and three month service. During that time, I got married to my community counterpart and embraced many parts of the Azerbaijani culture. It is my hope to provide you a sense of understanding of life as a Peace Corps volunteer, life in Azerbaijan, and a bit about Azerbaijani culture through my experiences. Please feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions or suggestions for topics you'd like to hear more about.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Ramadan Days 5 and 6

The evening of night 4 went well, was so tired by the time dinner was finished that we went to bed early. This weekend was a bit of a different story. We work about 6-7 days a week, so we don't really get to sleep in after waking at 430 for breakfast. We go back to sleep for a couple hours, then wake up at 730 to go to work. Sunday was good because we didn't have to be at the office till 3pm. I was so tired from waking up throughout the night that I woke up early on Sunday. Like 30 minutes early. Not cool when it's your one day to sleep in. So I got up, made breakfast, we ate, went back to sleep, then slept in till 1030. Now that was nice, and much needed.
Yesterday went fine, I was feeling a little hungry throughout the day, as I think my body is now adjusting to the early eating. However, by 630 in the evening I was feeling very thirsty, and very hungry. The last two hours just drug on and on. I had everything ready, and on the table 30 min before we could actually eat. My lips and tongue have been very dry the last couple days. After dinner I felt a bit better, but still extremely tired. So again, we went to bed early. I'm not sleeping very restfully. I wake up multiple times throughout the night from all the water right before bed. I woke up at about 2:30, 3:45, and at 4:20. We ate breakfast as usual, and then I went back to bed. Unfortunately, at 730 I was so tired I couldn't get myself out of bed. Farid had a class at 9am, so he had to leave the house at 820. I on the other hand didn't really need to be here till 10, so I went back to sleep. I woke up at 930, again from water, but feeling a little more rested. I don't really feel well rested at all this week. I feel like I'm in a bit of a fog, and that most things around me are not as interesting as I know they could be. I am definitely feeling a lack of engery from what I'm used to. I am positive it's due to not sleeping through the night, and the lack of water.
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3 comments:

  1. I feel you on this one Rae. Something has been going on with my body and on Day 5, I just could not do it anymore - had to take a break - did not eat anything all day (did not want to ruin my schedule), but sipped water all day and felt 100% better by 8 p.m. at night. Of course, I woke up this a.m. to start the whole process over again and here I am...sitting in a fog and struggling again. I can understand why they call this a sacrifice.

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  2. Love that you are posting your days of Ramazan. As a nutritionist, I'm very surprised that the practice includes no water. Water is so essential for life that humans can survive only 7-10 days without water but 30-40 days without food. That is why going without water is so hard on your body - especially for the long daylight hours and I suspect the temperature where you live.

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  3. Yes the fasting here is different. It's the "no water" from sun up to sun down that makes it so difficult for me. Forcing myself to drink large amounts of water only adds to some of the complications. Luckily, the temperature where I am is not as bad as it is in the southern regions. Today has been hard, I'm certainly feeling hungry now. The combination of dehydration, hunger and tired-ness make me a very loveable person. :)

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