Totya Fira and Dyadya Eyyub

Leyla's Dyadya (uncle) Eyyub picked us up at the airport, and we went to their home where Totya Fira met us with a warm welcome. They hadn't seen Leyla for eleven years, so they were very happy to see her and meet me. Even though it was almost 3 am when we got to the house, we had tea and talked for awhile before going to sleep.

On the right is Leyla with Uncle Eyyub and Aunt Fira in their home in central Baku. Aunt Fira is a great cook and is shown here making Azeri dumplings.

Gamid, Begim, and Lyaman

Totya Fira and Dyadya Eyyub have a son Gamid, who lives at home with them, and a daughter Begim, married to Ilkin. Gamid speaks English so I had fun talking with him. He works a lot, trying to save money for his new house. Begim's job as a pediatrician is always done by about three o'clock so we saw a lot of her, and even more of her precocious seven-year old daughter Lyaman.

When the family heard we were coming, the story goes, Uncle Eyyub asked "What's our plan?" Begim replied "What plan? My sister is coming!" Cousins are simply referred to as brother and sister. Uncle Eyyub said "No, you gotta have a plan! Fira, you have to know what you're going to cook every day." Apparently they came up with a plan.

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Last modified: Mon Jan 02 16:21:27 Central Standard Time 2006