Something that I’ve neglected to write about, here on the blog, are Nihad’s Azerbaijani tea-parties.

Nihad loves his home country’s dishes and delicacies. You’ve no doubt seen our previous post chronicling Nihad’s khinkali dish he served the boarders as well as the staff before the winter break.

With him, Nihad brings a veritable library of teas from his homeland of Azerbaijan, of all kinds. As well as Azerbaijani honey and spiced meats. In the evenings, we often sit down for tea with Nihad, after he asks us to join him, which we always do and he serves us freshly brewed tea with honey.

It’s a wonderful moment of relaxation for whoever chooses to join and I can’t believe I’ve never written about it properly, here. It’s a moment we all share, truly. Between the drinkers and those who happen to be passing through the kitchen, it’s impossible not to be sucked into conversation. And the conversation always starts with uninitiated members of the tea-parties asking Nihad about where this tea comes from. This opens the door to powerful cultural exchange as everyone naturally begins to discuss their own home rituals and what dishes ‘they’ would choose to share, were they given the opportunity. It’s wonderful and profound tradition we’re privileged to have developed here in Olympus.

New Arrival Christiaan shares a drink with Nihad, a proper induction into Olympus.

There are other rituals that we love to share here at Olympus and another firm favourite is Mr. Tarun’s trials by fire through the use of multi-player videogames that often turn into impromptu-house competitions.

Mr. Tarun plays Video-Games with Aoto while Ayu and Davyd watch in awe.

Take a little while to think about the traditions that you would share were you given the opportunity. Being brave enough to be vulnerable to show some true passion is a powerful key to many amazing things that make a community stronger.

-Best of The Best from the Olympus Boys!