Novruz Trip

Last week of March was a holiday, so time to travel around Azerbaijan. A little tour, told in pictures, in the posts under this one... naturally, technically minded as I am, they are in the reverse order.

Our trip took us (10 to start out with) from Baku to Ismailli

In Ismailly, one friend left, but we gained another, our host crazy enough to give us floor space to crash and join the trip

Ismailly was the base for some to explore the old village Lahij, and others to go to the last remaining Kolxoz, Ivanovka.

The next day, all of us jumped into 2 taxi's to Qebela, to fill the bus to Nic, an Udi based village that stands out for me.

The weather was great (t-shirt time), both women and men friendly, helpful and greeting us, the feel different, the location- stunning! Sites to behold apart from this incredible natural beauty are 3 old churches (2 Armenian, 1 Alban), and an old graveyard, and very nice houses with large gardens and not closed fences. The village is originally Udi, one of the orginal Alban people with their own branch of Christianity. This village has suffered lots of religious suppression, and now has a mix of animalistic and Christian beliefs, no longer practiced in the churches which are now shells. The plan to go back in May… and I am excited already. Another highlight of Nic was our lunch. In the blazing sun, pork shashliq with Tutovka, salad, bread, cheese…

Three churches in Nic, the oldest Cotari (Alban church) and two churches subject to Armenian Catholicosate in Echmiadzin: 19^th century Göyűn Kilsә (situated in schoolyard, waiting for reconstruction and currently closed, interesting feather construction on the door) and Bulun Kilsә, 1890, now functioning as a shed.

From here, 2 taxies- still 10 people- were chartered to drive us to Mingeçevir (through stunning landscape!!!), where we were hosted by peace corps volunteer who lives in nearly finished, funky looking, apartment, though she sadly has to move out soon. Mingeçevir is situated at the river Kur, and it ownes its existence to the creation of a huge dam in the 1940s and the creation of a water reservoir. Apparently, most of the electricity requirements of Azerbaijan are produced here. It’s a new, Soviet town, constructed around the electricity plant and a big lake. This lake was our destination.

After the Mingeçevir tour, 8 people left back to Baki, so from the original bunch, only 3 were left. One headed back to Ismailli the next morning, while the left over original 2, together with 4 others, made our way to Yevlax for a very specific sight. After this sight and lunch, goodbyes were said, and the original 2 headed to Sheki and Kish, to stay there 1 night, and then back to Baku, tired, yet very satisfied.

Yevlax

What would bring someone to Yevlax... nothing more than the mere curiousity to see a statue that was once found in all over Azerbaijan. A statue now carefully removed from the streets, to be replaced by the faces of new heroes. Indeed, we had to seek out the statue of Lenin, to alledgedly be found in half, proudly sitting out his days in a scrap yard...
surrounded by crumbling factories and some great old junk . My favorite, the victory of nature over man-made...

Mingeçevir

Mingeçevir is situated at the river Kur, and it ownes its existence to the creation of a huge dam in the 1940s and the creation of a water reservoir. Apparently, most of the electricity requirements of Azerbaijan are produced here. It’s a new, Soviet town, constructed around the electricity plant. Straight, build like a raster, it has many parks, and even more flats.

Nic

This town was the highlight of my trip. In the distance the snowy Caucasus mountain peaks, bright blue sky, open yards, friendly people, great food, stunning old houses, old and new grave yards, old churches and good company!

Ivanovka

Kolxoz Ivanova, the only kolxoz left in Azerbaijan. Very successfull, quite rich, producing everything from dairy products to wine. Predominantly Russian speaking.

Ismailli

Jumping the fire- novruz in Berda