Some thoughts on my family

I have a habit of getting extremely attached to my host families (ouais mes chers, si vous lisez comme vous m'aviez bien promis, vous saurez bien que je parle de vous!). This family here outside of Baku is no exception. I am utterly convinced that Peace Corps placed me with the best host family in Azerbaijan, and I will be extremely upset to leave them come December 10th. Besides the good cooking, great room, and excellent hospitality, I actually feel like a part of the family. Here are a few fun, quirky examples of my role in this family:

• I am allowed (and encouraged!) to answer the phone. Even though I get completely flabbergasted if the caller is not a family member, I take this right to heart and answer the phone as often as I can.
• I am in charge of closing the chickens' gate and door. I lock the old blue door every night with the same, awed reverence that Ralphie from A Christmas Story has when he fills his Red Ryder BB gun.I hug everyone, which apparently is kind of uncommon for Azeris! No matter though, because they eat it up!
• My aunts often watch me while I eat, stroke my hair, and smile at me from across the room.
• My uncle gives me INTENSE back massages that involve snapping his fingers… with my back skin between them! It feels good though, I won't lie.
• The host cousins and I draw with markers as often as we can. Even though we have no "toys" per se, we have a great time fooling around with paper airplanes and whirligigs. They are so cute I can't stand it!
• I wash the dishes when my mother isn't looking. Women have enough to do around here that I try to help when I can, even if it's not really "man's work." I know she appreciates it even if she doesn't admit it. Sometimes if we have guests, she'll ask me to wash dishes or clear the table, and the guests watch with amazement when I do it. She will sit and smile approvingly… which I suppose makes me something of a domestic attraction. "Look what my American son does!" I feel bad for the Azeris that have to keep up with these Jones'.
• When I left for Baku last weekend, my mom called to make sure I was okay. How cute is that?
• My host brother carries me around on his shoulders for entertainment. He's very big.

I leave their house soon, but I plan on keeping contact with them as best as I can. I will definitely visit them in the future (inshallah… or God willing!). Here's to hoping that my next host family will be just as awesome!