Training UNFPA- more cultural, less academic benefits

A week ago someone from my University called me and asked me to work as a translator for them. The call was from my University, from International Children's center, which was established by Ihsan Dogramaci earlier. He established Bilkent University later, but the center is still at the campus, in the library.

The training was in Russian. The number of participants was 18. Participants were from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It was easier to them to talk to in Russian language.  Most of them did not speak English at all. However, two of Turkish women were not understanding anything, and I was the one, who supposed to translate into English and sometimes(during presentations in English) into Russian. Although it was pretty hard to translate, I was trying to do my best. Translation from Russian to English was much easier, than from English to Russian. I felt that in 5 years outside of Azerbaijan, my Russian lost its fluency in academic speech. It is sad to accept, but the words were coming into my mind, in Turkish very often.

Whatever.. That was not my point when I started writing :)
The thing is that I was positively shocked by the culture and traditions of Central Asian people; Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghistan, even Turkmenistan. Before and after each eating, they were having a very short praying ceremony, they were thanking God. I really loved it. This small moment was very symbolic, but at the same time very candid that I even asked them to teach me as well.
I questioned them, and they answered that they are trying to keep close ties with God during the day, even if they are not performing the Namaz regularly.
I talked to a few of them separately and saw that some of them were not religious, but they strongly believe in God. And if they believe in God, they should not forget about him in good moments.
They believe that, he is over their, on the top of their head and its their big pleasure to thank that he is helping them everywhere.
It is more traditional belief than, religious.
One guy, from Uzbekistan told me that, in their country, even his 2-3 years old niece understands this 15 seconds of silence before and after the meal and she is raising her hand to pray.

I suddenly remembered my protestant church visit in Los Angeles.
Isn't it a good idea to start Sunday morning with this great musical praying... what can be better? the best recharging method, the most positive one. I still remember that I did not want to leave that place, when our tour group called me, I was thinking maybe, to ask them to stay lil bit longer??

This training gave me two good friends. One from Turkmenistan and one from Uzbekistan. It was a great pleasure to talk to them. The feeling that they still live in Soviet regime according to my mom's explanations of  people and relations between people, when she was young. My mom would certainly love them.


This gift is from my new friend who is from Uzbekistan. His sister made this and designed by national patterns. To be honest, this small present made my day :)

Phone and visit card case