Category: My photos
Brooklyn Bridge
Posted by Ryan Schaffer in My photos Friday, 15 January 2010 16:16 6 Comments
The Manhattan tower shown in the foreground continues to descend another 78 below the high-water mark. It was sunk by means of a pneumatic caisson. It was by far the hardest part of the work and took a lasting toll on the Chief Engineer Washington Roebling who never fully recovered from decompression sickness. The goal to reach bedrock was never achieved and to this day the tower rests on ancient sediments.
Brooklyn Bridge promenade
Posted by Ryan Schaffer in My photos Friday, 15 January 2010 16:02 2 Comments
Earlier in the month I had finished reading David McCullough’s book “The Great Bridge”. Its strange how we take some things for granted, or more, we just don’t think about where they came from. The Brooklyn Bridge has always existed in my mind until I read about how it was built and the people who built it. It was my first visit to it in a long time and my first time on the promenade. While atop I tried to imagine the Manhattan panorama as it would have been in 1883.
Liberty Bell
Posted by Ryan Schaffer in My photos Monday, 11 January 2010 21:06 3 Comments
Since I returned in September I have met up with four of my fellow AZ5 volunteers. First there was Meredith in South Carolina, then Jeff in New York City. This was followed by David in Philadelphia and now Colleen. I wish I had more opportunities to head out for the territories and spend some time with my Peace Corps friends.
Nar
Posted by Ryan Schaffer in My photos Wednesday, 6 January 2010 22:44 2 Comments
I think that it is safe to say that Azerbaijanis love thriftiness. Where ever you went on buses, at your friend’s houses or in the streets you would hear people talking about the different prices of chickens, flour, electricity and everything in-between. We all found that a great ice breaker with anyone was to talk about the differences in the prices of produce between American and Azerbaijan. The other day I found pomegranate in the supermarket going for $4 each. I remember buying them for .80 cents a kilo. However, back in Azerbaijan it was hard to ever find bananas for .49 cents a pound.
Lada with chickens
Posted by Ryan Schaffer in My photos Wednesday, 6 January 2010 22:35 No Comments
Barda was one of the main chicken producing regions in Azerbaijan. You could buy a live toyuq for about 6 manat. I was never a very big fan of owning and raising chickens. I understood the economics of it and the appeal of finding fresh eggs in your yard. However, the amount of mess that they created was enough to out weight any positives.