How would you feel if you live above an Armani, Mont Blanc or a Burberry showroom? Or if you woke up and opened your window and caught a glimpse of the President of the country stretching in the window opposite yours? Or if you cross the main city square and climb down five steps…you are suddenly faced with the salty wind of the wide Caspian Sea…?
My first days in Baku were filled with pleasant surprises.
As I sat nibbling at my sandwich on a comfortable bench in a beautiful park, looking at the lovely fountain in front of me… the cool wind playing havoc with my hair… I recalled the reply I had got from the embassy official when I had asked how much they charge for a tourist visa…."We don’t have tourist visa!"
I really wonder why….
This place has so much to offer …with its winding streets, cobbled pavements and tall trees…The picturesque squares, the amazing Roman architecture …that nicely blends with modern constructions…
The city at night is even lovelier and more vibrant...the wonderful lighting (of the sort we see only at India Gate) lights the entire city...giving it a stage-like romantic look...
As I looked through my camera …for more catchy shots, I noticed a long and winding wall…that went around the entire one part of the city…I clicked a snap…and asked my colleagues about it…
"Oh that! It is the old city wall… behind the wall there is the entire city… which is untouched by modernization totally….! Don’t go there alone, you will get lost or mugged!" I am told.
The thought thrills me, sending a chill down my spine! With a twinkle in my eye, I start planning the visit to the walled city….
Friday, September 4, 2009
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6 comments:
Lovely…
Baku… where is it? Hmmm so now we know why they don’t have the tourist visa…
I guess it is beautiful because it is untouched…
At times, people wants to conceal what they have… because they know once the drape opens … the beauty might be spoiled…
I guess they want to get just travelers like you… coming without knowing… and expecting nothing from them… and when they offer such a freedom full window.. Salty wind.. Wide Caspian Sea.. Comfortable bench.. Beautiful park.. Lovely fountain.. Cool wind.. And the curious old city wall… the traveler quickly finishes the sandwich… and take a pen in hand…
Now if I am that city… I would want to be exactly like the way it is… an unknown beauty… meeting unfamiliar people… and taking them by surprise… not only touching their skin with my wind but also their heart with my ancient innocence…
I am good because I am unheard of…
I knew your blog would be back when you would land in Baku!! New place, new people, new things to right. Yes probably its not known to a lot of people so has that 'untouched beauty'. Take loads of pics, we will be waiting to see them on your return! :)
You had so much trouble getting the visa, maybe this is God's way of sayinmg - you've earned it, now enjoy! Hoping to read much more and take good care! Don't get over excited :)
I knew your blog would be back when you would land in Baku!! New place, new people, new things to right. Yes probably its not known to a lot of people so has that 'untouched beauty'. Take loads of pics, we will be waiting to see them on your return! :)
You had so much trouble getting the visa, maybe this is God's way of sayinmg - you've earned it, now enjoy! Hoping to read much more and take good care! Don't get over excited :)
By the way SillySulker, Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. :)
Seems President has nothing else to do...
No Tourist Visa..start a hate campaign please on fb..they send so many illegal tourists & workers in India.
They have walled their city ..must be afraid that people will come to know about their reality...see our slums are globally recognized ;-). Anways when u go to walled city please keep your tamancha or churi handy...otherwise we might have to send you money.
There is no fun in eating a sandwich while sitting in a park or besides sea...apna desi charpara masala channa or mungphali is yummmm...
EAST OR WEST ..INDIA IS BEST
Thanks, SillySulker and Upasana.
Sanjay...pls take it easy...I also believe that India is the best...one's country is always the best place in the world...isn't it...
But that doesnt mean you cannot appreciated other places and natural beauty of other places???
Being cynic and seeing the negative in everything is not my cup of tea...but I know it is very much yours...
So, you enjoy yours...I will enjoy mine!!
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