Village Girl: The Point of No Return (December)

Some background for this post….

There is an Azerbaijani national meal called boz-bash. It is a soup made with meat and potatoes. It usually also involves the addition of chick-peas, spices or greens. The list of possible recipes is beyond my limited scope of recognition.

However, I have learned to recognize that there are usually two types of meat involved. Version 1:Usually called Kifta in Salyan involves giant meatballs. Version 2 is called boz-bash and involves meat on the bone.

Which brings us to our comic relief routine for December….

I am visiting Khirdalan for the weekend. Ana has her hands full, but Ata is hungry.

Ana: Melissa, can you pour Ata some boz-bash?
M: Sure. *goes to kitchen and lifts lid off pot* Ana…There isn’t any boz-bash.
Ana: *coming into the kitchen* What?
M: *points at pot* This is Kifta.
Ana: Yes. Boz-bash.
M: No. Boz-bash has meat on the bone in it. This has giant meatballs, so it’s kifta.
Ana: Yeah. It’s Kifta Boz-bash.
M: *petulantly* No it’s not.
Ana: *starts to laugh* Oh Melissa. You are such a village girl. *pause* Abgul! You have to hear this…

At which point she runs into the living room to tell Ata just how much of a village girl I have become. And as I finish pouring his soup into a bowl, I can hear his laughter at my expense.

Sigh. I’m glad my cultural adaptation continues to amuse those around me. But I think I should get points for being able to recognize the nuances.