Istanbul/Ethiopia/Azerbaijan Day 8

March 3, 2016

I slept in and needed it desperately. After breakfast i started trying to find a map app that I could use to navigate Azerbaijan, I purchased AZE ...worthless, don't buy it

Says its For all Azerbaijan but the reality is 3 cities. It's virtually impossible to set destination based oh you location. UGH!

I needed some type of guidance for the trip to Qubustan.

I sat assessing and purchasing 3 versions of 2 apps, totaling $30. Over that two hours I determined that none of them offered the trip mapping that I needed. I had electronic maps that I could out pins in....that it's UGH!!!

I was also nervous about removing the car from its parking spot and never finding it again. It was parked in the tightest space in an alley that I had no idea how id get back to and its tucked in several layers of old city deep. There's not a word for how anxiety ridden I was about this.

I did get the car (Kia Sportage) out I'd the web of alleys and obstacle course of cars. You've never seen anything like it....I haven't. I headed south along the coast of the Caspian Sea. The view along the way was disturbing. So much land and much sea frontage being used for oil production or refining. It was destroying the land to make people wealthy. They do have a high standard of living...many single family homes and nice high rise housing. The sea is a beauty blue green which surprised me with all of the industry.

The drive was also stressful, there are speed cameras and police everywhere. The speed go from 110 kph to 90, 70, 50 within such a short distance you'd have to brake significantly. Then you wouldn't see a speed limit sign for so long, I had spin idea want speed to drive. Then I'd see a 70 when I would have thought otherwise. It didn't make much sense. Then there were the secretly - roll thru areas...down to 30. This is a highway. I don't know how you really get anywhere. The highway also has crossover / turn arounds only every 10-15 minutes...that's it.

Not really knowing where to stop, I overshot my turn. So, 30 minutes later I made my way an exit, I went through a rough / poor area that was not expected but this is in the middle of nowhere..

I did find the museum (2 manat and 1 for parking). The museum is very nice and the exhibits are I'd very high quantity with many areas that offer interactive options. It gives the history and explanation of the area and petroglyphs.

After the museum, I drove up the mountain to the station and was met by the park ranger, Raphael. He walked with me around the mountain and showed me each of the petroglyphs and what they meant. He asked me questions and wanted me to understand everything, definitely the nicest person I've met in Azerbaijan.

Driving back was easier as I new here I was going, except for the fork in the road that took me the wrong direction.

Back in Baku, I was trying to navigate finding the parking spot. I had arrived just when I didn't want to...rush hour. I drive through the back alleys for 30 minutes, at least before identifying that I was in the right parking area. Then my spot was taken. I called the owner and she said to take any spot. I tried a spot that wasn't a spot,,,it turned out and was partially blocking the entrance, it's hard not to. I followed him and asked where I should park. He said next to him. I didn't realize that it was a a space so, I was great grateful. Just then a man walked up, the attendant, and told me that I needed to pay him 2000 manat to park there, this and the rest was translated for me. The guy helping me tried to get the attendant to understand the situation of it being the parking spot of my apartment owners mother, he wasn't excepting that and so,I got the owner on the phone and gave it to her. They talk and she tells me to give my keys to him and he will move it later, I say no and that I'm responsible for the car and I'm not leaving me keys for him to,move it. Finally he gives in and the car stays where it is. That took over an hour and all of my patience. This country isn't helping me make many good memories.

I was pretty much over the whole day and went to the apartment and ate in and called it a night,

A nice conversation with my friend Geoff, in England, I proved my mood before bed.

Please...a better day tomorrow!