Istanbul/Ethiopia/Azerbaijan Day 7

March 2, 2016

Arriving in Istanbul with barely enough time to make my connection, no food for Brian. I made my flight and had a good seat near the front of the plane. A nice breakfast of scrambled eggs, yogurt, cheese and tomato helped get me by.

I was on my way...country number number 99 is Azerbaijan. Ever since my visit to Georgia and Armenia in 2008, I've wanted to see this jewel and complete my Caucasus trio. number 99 would bring that. I hope it lives up to such a number.

Upon arrival, the immigration process for a country that requires a visa ahead of time, was the quickest of them all. Wow!

The car rental guy was waiting with a sign so, that was easy. We walked to the parking lot and I thought we'd get in a car but we were assessing my car (Kia Sportage). There were scrapes and scratches all over. How could this be new? After all of that was noted, I wanted to look inside, given the exterior. He seemed hesitant. I looked in and it was obviously a very used car. Then he aid that this wasn't and economy rental car. They were something different. His English was very bad though...maybe transaction was lost.

We drove into town, which took longer than I expected. On the way he said that if I drove faster than 60 kph in the city, I'd get a ticket. If I drove through a crosswalk with someone standing at the side, I'd get a ticket. There were some parking rules also. I was beginning to think this was a bad idea.

The guy drove to the rental office, a room with a sign out front. The guy inside (friendly) kept trying to get me pay cash. He was adding 4% for credit card usage. I agreed. He tries my card twice and tells me that I'm over my limit. This is certainly not the case. I called my cc company and they said that there had been no attempts or denials. After a ridiculous amount of time, the guy said that he worst just run the preauthorization amount - that worked. I questioned this and he dismissed but I realized later that he was trying to take a cash advance on my card and don't allow that so its not set up. He is dishonest and I will let economy car rentals know and will not used them again after 8 years, they are reaching really low to come up with this operation.

He gave me directions ...they seemed miserable. He said that even locals hate driving in Baku. I took his directions and left. He was right. I tried my best to follow his directions and did finally make it to the parkway parallel to the Caspian Sea but...how could I possibly find it. This was like a highway but no lines. Every multi-way crossing - no light and vague lines there. It was horrible. Trying to watch for cars made it impossible to look at street signs, numbers or anything so else.

I called the apt owner several times but she doesn't think like someone who is visiting for the first time and driving to her place so she wasn't able to five adequate directions and was even getting frustrated with me. At one point she even said to me " your not in America". I'm the last person that she wanted to say that to. In the end, I found a spot that her driver could find me and take me to the parking. I would have never in a million years found that parking

It was several alleys deep. I'm not sure how I will find it when I venture out???

Upon meeting her, there was the discussion of the difficulty and I let her have it. I said all that I wrote in the previous and took great offense at her comment about my nationality. I told her it was a mistake that I chose to stay in the city and at her apartment. I should have stayed elsewhere and driven in to see sights. Oh well...I will share this with others.

I needed cash and food. I had her / her driver take me to both. The first ATM said three times that had exceeded my daily limit. I hadn't taken cash out in Azerbaijan so that's not possible. She then said "how will you pay for items?" Really. I asked to be taken to another...which worked. She then asked to be paid so she can leave. The driver would take me to the grocery. It's extremely rare that I've been treated so badly. She will feel my wrath.

Groceries in hand and two bottles of wine, I settled in and prepared an actual meal. I had eggs and tomatoes, yogurt with strawberries and walnuts,

I decided that before the sun has set I would get out and see a bit of the old town. It was quite cool and very blustery so I layered and went out Into it

I wen to the Maidens Tower, Marker Square, and Baba Khuki Bakuvi Mosque along with the interesting side alleys. This was enough for the day. I was cold, still quite frustrated with everyone and exhausted.