Latest from Baku, Jan. 31, 2011

Hello,

It seems easiest to create a blog for people to follow at their leisure and I can update as I have new things to share about our adventure here in Baku, Azerbaijan.  

Last week we had beautiful weather, a high one day of 50 F.  The weekend, however, was very soggy, but didn't keep us from exploring between raindrops.

The picture above is a view of Fountain Square.  This is the City Center and is right near our apartment.  There are many restaurants, shops and small markets in this area.  I really like a local Azeri Market.  There is an abundance of Butternut Squash, Potatoes, Yellow Onions, Lettuce, Lemons. and Pomegranats.  It is not uncommon to see people on the sidewalk selling these fruits and vegetables out of a burlap sack.

Below are pictures of the Old City which is adjacent to Fountain Square.  Allen walks through Fountain Square and the Old City on his way to the office.  Traffic and congestion is so extreme, it's much faster to walk when the weather is nice.  The office is about a 15 minute walk and by car at the end of the day it's about a 40 minute drive.

 The original Gate to the Old City  The Old City is a World Heritage site and has a nice walking tour.

A view up one of the streets in the Old City.  There are little shops in the old buildings that sell everything - carpets, throws, scarves, and junky trinkets.

This is a Tea House or Cafe situated inside the Old City built up against the wall around the City.  I haven't tried the local food from these Cafe's.  Choni, our driver, tells us it's not good. We may have to try for ourselves.

The City is very clean.  You see women out sweeping at all times of the day. The brooms are made from old branches and tied together. I have yet to find an area that is dirty with litter.  It is difficult to keep everything clean as the construction here is unbelievable.

This is a picture from the Airport Bazaar.  It is about 20 minutes out side of Baku and we went there to get things we needed for the kitchen - mixing bowls, wooden spoons, etc. For the record, we made no purchases as this booth!  The Bazaar is huge. We only went to this one section.  I am going back on Wednesday with some friends and I am hoping to see some of  the other areas .  I understand the Bazaar has just about everything.

We recently had a holiday for Martyrs' Day, Jan. 20, the Anniversary of the Red Army's massacre of Baku civilians in 1990.  There is a beautiful Park that sits up high above the bay that has a beautiful memorial to the people that died in this attack - I think 146 people were killed in 1990.  My camera died so I have no pictures today.

Allen left town this morning by plane to visit the Mine outside of Ganja near the border of Georgia.  It's a short flight, however, due to airline schedules he won't be home until tomorrow afternoon.  We are going to London on Friday and will be gone for just over a week.  We are tagging on a visit to Edinburgh, Scotland at the end of his London business.  We are looking forward to seeing some friends that now are living in London.

That's it for now.  My best to everyone.  I miss you!

Cindy
xxoo