Get up at 04.00 am. Take a taxi to the airport at 05.00 am in Istanbul traffic. And there is always traffic here. No matter what time you wake up or what road you take. Try to shut up the chatty taxi driver, who is constantly complaining about his football team, politics, life and family. Dude, it is five o’clock in the morning, give me a break! Rush to the airport and catch the plane at 08.00 am to Baku. Stand in queue at the security check, queue up for the passport control and again, queue up for the security and ticket check before boarding. Sit next to chatty old ladies or noisy kids but never to beautiful top models. But then again, beautiful models surely do not fly economic class with TA. Damn! The airline? As usual Turkish Airlines. Again queue up at the passport control at the arrival. Negotiate the price with the taxi driver with a sleazy smirk. You know you’re getting robbed but hey what can you do? you have to play along to get your ass to the hotel. Get to the hotel at noon local time. You have to admit. Life’s real hard for us sales guys!
I stayed at the Anatolia Hotel, which was a 3-4 star Hotel in the city center. Given the fact that the Manat is pretty much at the same level as the USD, you could say that Azerbaijan is darn expensive. The accommodation costs you in a mediocre hotel between 80-100 Manat. Although the room was clean and the breakfast was great. No complains here and the staff always friendly. But still, you know you’re getting robbed but you just smile and bend over.
Baku is a great city. I love staying there. Of course, there are infrastructure problems, molesting road works and big construction sites all around the city but nonetheless it is a city that is worth the visit. There is a beautiful promenade on the Caspian Sea that is like 7.5 km long and people are strolling, chatting and having a good time. They have placed exotic plants and trees along the promenade, with charming illumination and there is a big shopping mall with restaurants of European cuisine and brands. The old city is also very interesting and the shopping area reminds of any European city. And the people are always calm and friendly.
Another thing that caught my eye: People are crazy about SUV’s here that is for sure. And I know now where the old Mercedes cars are going that no one cares to drive in Germany or else in Europe because they’re too old. They go to Baku. Baku is like a dump place for old Mercedes cars. Everywhere you see old Mercedes or BMW cars from the 80’s or 90’s. A client of mine picked me up in one of this Mercedes-Benz pieces that he bought in Cologne or somewhere and drove it to Baku. Crazy Azerbaijani. He took me to a nice restaurant at noon saying that this was one of the finest in Baku. I didn't agree but what the heck. The food was traditional food with lots of meat and kebab and meat, meat, meat, meat. I got served so much food that for a minute I thought the client wants to fatten me up and feed me to the Armenians. Just kidding!
I was about the burst like a fat calf when I apologized and left the dinner and go back to the hotel. I had another appointment and dinner with another possible customer so I needed some rest before delving into new negotiations. I took a shower and started to wait for the man when my phone rang and my client was on the phone. He said that he was going to pick me up and take me to dinner to one of the best restaurants in Azerbaijan. Oh, oh! I had a bad feeling about this. While driving there in a fancy SUV the customer was very enthusiastic about the food quality of this restaurant and I saw now that my fears were becoming reality as we drove up the same road earlier. Not eating is not an option. They get insulted! Goddammit, those Asiatic traditions!!! So I got stuffed with meat and kebabs once more. When I got to the hotel I looked like a fatted calf so the receptionist didn’t recognize me and asked for my identity. In the end, Baku is really a nice city with nice people! Go, see it.
I stayed at the Anatolia Hotel, which was a 3-4 star Hotel in the city center. Given the fact that the Manat is pretty much at the same level as the USD, you could say that Azerbaijan is darn expensive. The accommodation costs you in a mediocre hotel between 80-100 Manat. Although the room was clean and the breakfast was great. No complains here and the staff always friendly. But still, you know you’re getting robbed but you just smile and bend over.
Baku is a great city. I love staying there. Of course, there are infrastructure problems, molesting road works and big construction sites all around the city but nonetheless it is a city that is worth the visit. There is a beautiful promenade on the Caspian Sea that is like 7.5 km long and people are strolling, chatting and having a good time. They have placed exotic plants and trees along the promenade, with charming illumination and there is a big shopping mall with restaurants of European cuisine and brands. The old city is also very interesting and the shopping area reminds of any European city. And the people are always calm and friendly.
Another thing that caught my eye: People are crazy about SUV’s here that is for sure. And I know now where the old Mercedes cars are going that no one cares to drive in Germany or else in Europe because they’re too old. They go to Baku. Baku is like a dump place for old Mercedes cars. Everywhere you see old Mercedes or BMW cars from the 80’s or 90’s. A client of mine picked me up in one of this Mercedes-Benz pieces that he bought in Cologne or somewhere and drove it to Baku. Crazy Azerbaijani. He took me to a nice restaurant at noon saying that this was one of the finest in Baku. I didn't agree but what the heck. The food was traditional food with lots of meat and kebab and meat, meat, meat, meat. I got served so much food that for a minute I thought the client wants to fatten me up and feed me to the Armenians. Just kidding!
I was about the burst like a fat calf when I apologized and left the dinner and go back to the hotel. I had another appointment and dinner with another possible customer so I needed some rest before delving into new negotiations. I took a shower and started to wait for the man when my phone rang and my client was on the phone. He said that he was going to pick me up and take me to dinner to one of the best restaurants in Azerbaijan. Oh, oh! I had a bad feeling about this. While driving there in a fancy SUV the customer was very enthusiastic about the food quality of this restaurant and I saw now that my fears were becoming reality as we drove up the same road earlier. Not eating is not an option. They get insulted! Goddammit, those Asiatic traditions!!! So I got stuffed with meat and kebabs once more. When I got to the hotel I looked like a fatted calf so the receptionist didn’t recognize me and asked for my identity. In the end, Baku is really a nice city with nice people! Go, see it.
