Today the board of The Bank is meeting, they meet six times annually, and England has expressed a desire for me to meet the board, so that has been set-up for about 5:30.
Beloved and I have been invited to accompany England and a couple others tomorrow and Friday to the Bank branch in a smaller town called Sheki. Because of this we are taking our Azeri language today instead of Thursday.
England also wants me to get a better feel for what The Bank does, so he has lined up some meetings for me this morning with an iterpreter. I walk down to The Bank and meet the interpreter, an American guy that has been here a number of years already. He is a very pleasant man and is taking his place as a new board member, so he is getting the tour as well for his benefit as much as interpreting for me.
We take about 40 minutes with the branch president then walk about five minutes to a gentleman that raises birds, parakeets and such. He borrows a small amount to travel to Baku and buy small birds or eggs, then raisies them and sells them to local patrons. We go from there to a small storefront, the gentlman there has taken a loan to upgrade his computer equipment. From there another five minute walk to an unassuming building, through the door and we are in a cabinet-making shop. The Bank has loaned this man money to purchase better materials and thereby create higher quality cabinets and get a better price for his work. The last stop of the morning is a local bread bakery, this gentlman borrows money to purchase flour when the prices are good. it is a fascinating hour, and I am becoming more and more proud to be associated with this organization.
From there I go to meet Beloved who is already at The Training House. We get through our second (ikiunca) lesson, and our teacher (maalim) would like us to be “interviewed” by some of her students that are learning english. We are introduced to a class of 17-20 year-old young people and speak to them about where we are from, what is our favorite food, do we have any kids(?) and the like. It is an enjoyable time.
Afterwards we are talking with Turab, England’s “wide-boy.” This is an expression that means that this young man is very well connected and can somehow get anything, knows everyone, and can get anything done. “Turab, we need to get mobile phones...” “okay, no problem.” We leave The Training House and walk downtown, about twenty minutes walk. We go to a phone store, Azercell, and purchase two new Nokia telephones. Then we walk across the street to the competitors service and sign-up for BakCell service. As we are there two guys, at two different times walk in a greet Turab--I guess he does know everybody.
Beloved walks home and I walk back to The Bank to meet the board, six gentlmen and a lady, two Americans, two Norwiegans, one Brit and two Azeri’s. It is very cordial but professional, and kept short. A little history of me and welcome and introductions to all, and that’s it.
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