Guba Getaway

Jeremy and I were so excited to take our fist trip out of the city last weekend.  We like Baku, but most of our activities take place within the same few square miles of the city and we were anxious to expand our image of Azerbaijan.  The timing was perfect, as a group trip was organized just as we finished the process of buying, registering, and insuring a vehicle - which can be done in one day in the U.S. but took several weeks here!

The trip took us two hours northwest to the city of Guba.  As we entered, we passed a beautiful wall on our left. Unfortunately, it's not an authentic ancient city wall, but it was a great photo op!

Jeremy guarding the entrance to Guba

The primary tourist sight in Guba is the carpet factory.  I've mentioned before that Azerbaijan is known for its oriental-style carpets.  In fact, Azerbaijani carpets are officially a UNESCO Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage.  I read up on carpets before arriving, but still felt woefully ignorant about the craft.  After watching the carpet weavers in action, I started to gain an understanding of the many different types and styles of carpet.  I even ventured out with the group to go carpet shopping, but came home empty-handed...for now.  

Carpet weaver at her loom

Although not mentioned in the guide book, we especially enjoyed the drive along the road leading out of the city.  It was lined with vendors selling fresh meat and produce.  And I'm not talking about beautiful cuts of meats in ice-filled coolers. This was carcasses literally hanging on the roadside.  Some were wrapped in cheesecloth to protect against dirt and dust, but others were completely exposed.

Beef...it's what's for dinner

While the butchered cows and chickens created good shock value, I was more interested in the local produce, especially the strawberries!  Although Kenya and Cambodia had wonderful tropical fruits to offer, strawberries was not one of them, so I've eaten precious few strawberries in the last four years.  But, now I had bucketfuls right at my fingertips...Yum!

Strawberries anyone?

Mission Sushi

OK, it's not remotely Azerbaijani, but there's a group of sushi lovers from the embassy who are on a mission to find the best sushi in Baku.  Although I wouldn't consider myself a sushi lover, Jeremy does, plus who am I to ignore a call for volunteers to participate in a serious research project?

The most economical option is the Thursday night sushi buffet at Eleven Restaurant.  Eleven is in a beautiful location with an 11th floor view overlooking the Caspian Sea and city of Baku.  The sushi is good, but it's not especially exciting because it's the same limited choices each week.

Jeremy and Robert at the Eleven buffet

Last week, our group tried a new "designer" sushi restaurant, Yuka Kaiten Sushi.  We had seats at the bar where we could watch all the sushi being made.  Displaying the true designer nature of their menu, one of the chefs pulled out a blowtorch to put the final "toasting" touch on his sushi roll!

Every sushi chef needs his blowtorch!

It was a delight to watch these chefs literally slide around the kitchen creating their masterpieces.  Everything that came out looked beautiful and tasted great!  It might turn out to be Number One, but it's much too early in Mission Sushi to declare a winner!

Jim readies his chopsticks for a sushi feast!