Showing posts with label Baku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baku. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Eyeglasses in Baku
Recommendation number two - Vegas Optics on B. Sardarov Kücəsi (just up from Akhundov Meydani).
Don't be put off by the name or the posh look of the place. Sure, there are some very expensive glasses here, but there are also reasonably priced frames as well. What really impressed me was the service. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I spoke Azerbaijani, but the servators were anxious to use their English. The doctor spoke excellent English (and great Azerbaijani to her assistant!) The doctor is very competent and has the latest in hi-tech equipment. I had my reading glasses in well under an hour (their promise for regular glasses). My husband had to get progressive lenses, so they had to be shipped from Germany - a two week process. The technician explained everything about the glasses in a very careful and thorough manner. We had a nice cup of tea as well. If your glasses are over 150 manat, the 20 manat doctor's fee is waived. You can get good prescription glasses in Baku!
Internet in Baku
Yes, I'm finally back online after many Internet woes. Following two miserable failures with IP services, I finally have found a reliable one in Sazz. And with that I am starting a new series of posts - Highly Recommended. Whenever I am impressed with services in Baku, I'll write about it here. (When I not so impressed, I just keep my mouth shut, but never darken their door again!) Of course, one of the important criteria is how they react to a foreigner speaking Azerbaijani... So, thank-you Sazz, you passed the Ms. Colleen test with flying colors. You get my first recommendation.
They are located all around Baku. See their website for details - www.sazz.az (predictably enough). Their English pages are clear if not completely idiomatic. I notice that they offer online sales and free delivery as well. Another plus. I dropped in to the shop in my neighborhood - İstiqlaliyyət Kücəsi. The young servators were helpful and polite speaking in Azerbaijani. They were soon joined by a colleague who spoke good English. Bring your passport and/or work visa to sign up for IP services.
They are located all around Baku. See their website for details - www.sazz.az (predictably enough). Their English pages are clear if not completely idiomatic. I notice that they offer online sales and free delivery as well. Another plus. I dropped in to the shop in my neighborhood - İstiqlaliyyət Kücəsi. The young servators were helpful and polite speaking in Azerbaijani. They were soon joined by a colleague who spoke good English. Bring your passport and/or work visa to sign up for IP services.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Eurovision: Ten things you need to know
Hey, if you are visiting Azerbaijan, it is a foreign country. As with any foreign country, there are some things you need to know before you come here to take full advantage of your visit. Here's my top ten need-to-know list.
1. The average low for May is 15 degrees C (59 F) and the average high is 22 degrees C (72 F). These are the official numbers. However, in my experience it is usually much hotter in late May, so come prepared for hot, sunny weather. Definitely bring your sunglasses.
2. Having said that, men in Azerbaijan do not wear shorts. They just don't do it. And they feel very uncomfortable around a man who is wearing shorts. If I were a guy coming to Baku, I'd pack only very lightweight trousers. Women can and do wear shorts and short skirts. Women are very fashion-conscious here.
3. One thing women do not do in public here is smoke. It is a real no-no. However, if you are a male smoker, you will be in heaven. Cigarettes are cheap and you can smoke just about anywhere. Women do smoke in bars.
4. If you look unusual (that is, a foreigner), people might ask to have your picture taken with them. It's never happened to me because people assume I'm Russian. But my friend from Zimbabwe has been asked a lot. Try to be polite. Or just say No, no, no, thanks. - Yox, yox, yox, sağ ol. Click here for the pronunciation.
5. The purple taxis are the only metered taxis that I know of in Baku. With anyone else, you may get a fair price, or you may be ripped off. Take your chances. Here is a picture of a purple cab.
6. The fruit and veg in Baku is really something special. If you see a little fruit and veg shop, stop by for a treat. You will not be disappointed.
7. On the subject of food, try the local specialities - Turkish-style kababs, eggplant dishes, lavangi (chicken stuffed with walnuts), the local tandir bread, qutab (thin bread - lavash - stuffed with either fresh herbs or meat). The food here is really great. I have an allergy to gluten, so don't eat the bread but people rave about it.
8. Try the local beers. My husband recommends 33 and Xirdalan. You can also find specialty foreign beers like Guinness (Finnegan's downtown) and Hoegaarden (1/5 Mərtəbə on Sərdarov St.). However, do not be seen drunk on the streets. This is really frowned upon. There are plenty of cabs outside of bars in the evening. If you have had too much to drink, pour yourself into a cab and go back to your hotel.
9. Traffic can be a bit hectic. Never assume that a driver is going to drive strictly according to the rules of road. Take advantage of the many underground pedestrian passages to get from one side of the street to another. Baku is a great city for walking around - just be cautious when crossing streets. Plus, there are many lovely pedestrianized areas. You will see locals launching themselves across busy streets. I don't recommend it.
10. VISA and Mastercards work with any ATM but the fees are high. You are better off bringing American dollars and exchanging it at one of the plentiful exchange shops - called Valyuta.
11. OK, just thought of one more. It is common for men to walk arm and arm here, and to greet each other with a kiss. Ditto for women walking arm and arm and greeting with a little kiss on the cheek. We have lived in the Middle East so long that this seems completely normal, but for a complete foreigner it may strike you as odd. Not common for a lot of public affection to be demonstrated between men and women, so act accordingly.
If you have questions, post them and I'll answer as best I can.
1. The average low for May is 15 degrees C (59 F) and the average high is 22 degrees C (72 F). These are the official numbers. However, in my experience it is usually much hotter in late May, so come prepared for hot, sunny weather. Definitely bring your sunglasses.
2. Having said that, men in Azerbaijan do not wear shorts. They just don't do it. And they feel very uncomfortable around a man who is wearing shorts. If I were a guy coming to Baku, I'd pack only very lightweight trousers. Women can and do wear shorts and short skirts. Women are very fashion-conscious here.
3. One thing women do not do in public here is smoke. It is a real no-no. However, if you are a male smoker, you will be in heaven. Cigarettes are cheap and you can smoke just about anywhere. Women do smoke in bars.
4. If you look unusual (that is, a foreigner), people might ask to have your picture taken with them. It's never happened to me because people assume I'm Russian. But my friend from Zimbabwe has been asked a lot. Try to be polite. Or just say No, no, no, thanks. - Yox, yox, yox, sağ ol. Click here for the pronunciation.
5. The purple taxis are the only metered taxis that I know of in Baku. With anyone else, you may get a fair price, or you may be ripped off. Take your chances. Here is a picture of a purple cab.
6. The fruit and veg in Baku is really something special. If you see a little fruit and veg shop, stop by for a treat. You will not be disappointed.
7. On the subject of food, try the local specialities - Turkish-style kababs, eggplant dishes, lavangi (chicken stuffed with walnuts), the local tandir bread, qutab (thin bread - lavash - stuffed with either fresh herbs or meat). The food here is really great. I have an allergy to gluten, so don't eat the bread but people rave about it.
8. Try the local beers. My husband recommends 33 and Xirdalan. You can also find specialty foreign beers like Guinness (Finnegan's downtown) and Hoegaarden (1/5 Mərtəbə on Sərdarov St.). However, do not be seen drunk on the streets. This is really frowned upon. There are plenty of cabs outside of bars in the evening. If you have had too much to drink, pour yourself into a cab and go back to your hotel.
9. Traffic can be a bit hectic. Never assume that a driver is going to drive strictly according to the rules of road. Take advantage of the many underground pedestrian passages to get from one side of the street to another. Baku is a great city for walking around - just be cautious when crossing streets. Plus, there are many lovely pedestrianized areas. You will see locals launching themselves across busy streets. I don't recommend it.
10. VISA and Mastercards work with any ATM but the fees are high. You are better off bringing American dollars and exchanging it at one of the plentiful exchange shops - called Valyuta.
11. OK, just thought of one more. It is common for men to walk arm and arm here, and to greet each other with a kiss. Ditto for women walking arm and arm and greeting with a little kiss on the cheek. We have lived in the Middle East so long that this seems completely normal, but for a complete foreigner it may strike you as odd. Not common for a lot of public affection to be demonstrated between men and women, so act accordingly.
If you have questions, post them and I'll answer as best I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)