Contact Information

So here is some contact information, in case anyone wants to send me care packages of toilet paper, good coffee, books and whatever else is hard to get in Azerbaijan:

Kristine Herman
c/o ABA CEELI
97 Neftchilar av. apt 23
370004 Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan

The office direct phone lines are +994 12 497 20 78 or +994 12 497 20 79

BUT, I can be reached directly through a New York-based phone number that rings me on my computer from any phone (cell or landline) in the States - and if I am not at my computer to pick up you can leave me a voicemail. It is the same price for the caller as any call to a new york number would be....so please, call away!!

My number is 646-736-7863.

And if you haven't checked out Skype yet, you should. Its a great service that lets me have this New York number tied to my computer, gets me free incoming calls there and also very very cheap outgoing calls to the U.S. and also video calling (if you also download skype for free and have a webcam). I plan to use my webcam often so if you have one, or are on either Skype of msn messenger, you can add me as a contact so we can chat. Its amazing to me what is available through the internet - and all my long distance communication options for this next year.

Vaccinations/Immunizations

So in case anyone was wondering, when traveling to Azerbaijan its good to have been immunized/vaccinated against Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. That last shot was a doozy and not only made my left side ache for 24 hours but gave me one of the worst headaches and feverish nights in recent memory. Also important is malaria medication for the summer months (a prescription that I plan to fill soon) and - much more alarmingly - Tamiflu. The whole idea of Tamiflu, and the scary virus its meant to meagerly address, is a little concerning. It is all that the news is reporting on in Azerbaijan these last few days....the bird flu. Now granted, not only do I not have plans to touch or work with any live or dead chickens - I feel like I also have an advantage because I do not eat chicken. So I am hoping to be doubly less likely to be exposed. But if I am- I am hoping I have some Tamiflu with me! I'm still waiting to get a doctor here to prescribe it to me.

K in her Brooklyn-based apartment 3 weeks before departure

Preparations for Departure

Okay so already my usual disdain for blogs in general is validated by having spent 30 minutes drafting my first post and then it magically disappeared on me with no record to be found. So now I'm just mad.

That being said, it is now countdown time. I am scheduled to leave for Azerbaijan on April 3rd. I have accepted a one-year position with the ABA/CEELI program as the Gender/Human Rights Liaison in Azerbaijan. Only a couple months ago I was a very happy newlywed with a fantastic apartment in Brooklyn, loving and supportive husband and a secure and interesting job. I am still a very happy newlywed, but now I'm headed out to live in Baku for a year doing who knows what with the CEELI office there (which also has lawyers working on anti-corruption and anti-torture efforts in Azerbaijan). It's exciting and challenging and it was one of the most difficult decisions Ben and I have faced as a couple thus far. And while I am out there on the coast of the Caspian, Ben will be patiently holding down the home front; focusing on his music career and taking care of kitten and keeping things warm for me for when I come home. Is there anyone as amazing as he is? I think not.

My preparations have me trying to concentrate on my past, present and future simultaneously. In these final weeks in NYC, I am looking backwards and trying to wrap up five years' worth of work at CCI, and I am focusing on being present for every moment I have with Ben before I go, and am trying to think about the future and what I could possibly want and need to have with me for the next year in Azerbaijan and packing! It is a lot. A lot to do, a lot to think about, a lot to plan for, and a lot of people and opportunities to be thankful for.