It will be interesting to see whether this gets mentioned in local news reporting.

On another thought line, just wondering whether this is our school or not. 

On Dick Cheney’s visit.  “… Aliyev’s talks with the US vice president were likely to focus on issues regarding, not only the security of oil and gas pipelines, but also ways of protecting Azerbaijan against a potential Russian attack, as Moscow is currently trying to return all independent former Soviet republics to its sphere of influence.” Source.  Then there’s Beware the Cheney Doctrine.

The Georgia – Russia conflict has two contradictory versions of the spark.  I know which I believe.

It’s hard to understand this news over the summer holiday: Azerbaijan Prepares to Go Nuclear.

From a sociological poll in Baku and 11 regions of Azerbaijan.   Today.az

It is now possible to state that these terror acts were committed by Russian special services to further encourage the separatist movements inside our country, but this time under the flag of Islam.

And another commentator, ‘famous political scientist Hikmet Hajizade’, regarding possible Russian aggression against Azerbaijan says:

If Russia is not stopped, its further goals will be Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

Who knows how much panic-driven speculation this all this, but it’s part of the political conversation here.

We are reassured that there is no threat to ex-pats living in Baku, but this doesn’t make you feel comfortable. There was a briefing that came from the BP office this afternoon.  I’ve learnt that the Abu Bakr mosque is not the big one close by, but one that was built with Kuwaiti money and with an imam that was trained in Saudi Arabia.

If you’re interested here are some local news reports on the matter.

18th August,    20th August,   20th August – Head of the Mountain Jews responds

20th August from AzerNews

An article on Islam in Azerbaijan that refers to the Abu Bakr mosque.

While we’re at it,  “PKK approaching Azerbaijan”.  (from February).  I’ve not heard anything about this since I’ve been back.  Can’t see why they’d be interested in Azerbaijan beyond sheltering from the Turks, given that they just want their homeland.

Newly renovated park.

I’ve shown other photos from this park close to my apartment.  It’s luxurious isn’t it?  Government buildings are to the left of the photo, which well may be the reason that this park was done up.  Other parks and buildings around Baku are also being renovated however.

Then up the hill to walk past the Azerbaijan Parliament.

Walking to the right of Parliament I came to the major cemetery of treasured national figures but can’t figure out its name.

I don’t know their names but the sculptures indicate that these were loved Azeri national figures.

And then there is the Heydar Aliyev (d. 2003) memorial at the back of the cemetery, but overlooking the rest of the cemetery. You can read something of his life here.

Then I passed the cemetery for less prominent people. It seems this section must have been Russian Orthodox.

That was my trip this afternoon.  I took a taxi home as there was too much to carry far.

I tried to contact Nazim, an IDP from Nagorno Karabak, for a taxi ride but I learnt that my mobile phone doesn’t connect as it’s been 3 months since I last put money on the card.

The school is organised into three sections:

• The Baku Toddler Club (Age 2) – 35 children
• The Primary School (ages 3-10) – 350 students
• Secondary School (ages 11-18) – 200 students

Over 48 nationalities are represented in the total enrollment.

TISA has 63 full time faculty, representing the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Spain, France, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Israel, South Africa, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, Lebanon, Ireland, and Nepal.

The average class size for all Secondary School courses is 15, and 17 for Primary School classes.

This time next year another building will be opened, which will appear off-photo on the top-right.  It’s an auditorium/gymnasium.  That’s the last of the space used so any further dreams would have to be about another campus.  At this stage that’s not likely.

Diigo – Web Highlighter and Sticky Notes, Social Bookmarking and Annotation, Social Information Network!

It’s made even better when files can be shared with friends.  For this to happen they also need to be signed up to this free service. 

Oh, here’s something else that I reckon is valuable.

Eleven Essential Web 2.0 Tools

Mine this last week was:  verb root + a/ə/ya/yə + bilər__. e.g. götüra bilərəm – Can İ take____?

Mən ala bilərəm? – Can I buy?

Danışa bilərəm? – Can I talk?

Verə bilərəm? – Can İ give?

Mən gələ bilərəm. – I can come.

I’m wondering about learning using the Total Physical Response method which has been shown to help learning. Anyone experienced that in groups?  It’s based upon immersion and experience rather than learning lists etc.