Ryan Schaffer

Brooklyn Bridge

Ryan Schaffer — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:16:41 +0000

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

Ryan Schaffer — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:02:01 +0000

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

Ryan Schaffer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:06:42 +0000

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

Ryan Schaffer — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:44:04 +0000

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

Ryan Schaffer — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:35:36 +0000

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.

moutains

Ryan Schaffer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:04:16 +0000

A view of Nargony-Karabagh from the Tar-Tar river in Barda. This mountain is over 4000 meters and was only visible under clear and dry conditions. Being from the flatlands of New Jersey, I never tired of looking at it.

David, house

Ryan Schaffer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:59:14 +0000

Peace Corps housing is very hit or miss. My friend David is standing proud in front of his private residence in Goranboy.

Meredith

Ryan Schaffer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:46:44 +0000

My Peace Corps experience was unique in many ways – every volunteer’s time is different. For me the difference was Meredith. She shared my entire two year experience in Barda and even some of my three months training. She was there every step of the way with me and I with her. For many people when they arrive back home they don’t have people to share some of their moments with, their friends just weren’t there. For me, I have Meredith.

Novrus Bayrem

Ryan Schaffer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:41:35 +0000

Instantly recognizable to any Azeri or AZ volunteer, I would like to leave this description blank intentionally to provoke people’s thoughts on what is happening.

Cold in bed

Ryan Schaffer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:33:47 +0000

It’s not that Azerbaijan is particularly cold, it’s just that heating is a issue. January of 2009 I went to visit my friend Amber (far left) for her birthday, her gas had been off for a while and we were in the midst of a winter storm. While we spent most of the day out of bed, at one point all five of us wound up there trying to get warm. Its these moments in life, that are funny and trying at the time,which are the most enjoyable to recall.