Ganja/Azerbaijan

Hi Friends. I'm here in Ganja. My being in this city can wonder you : "How did I come here? Why?"

        While walking in the Umbrella Street in Batman I saw some guys sitting on the bench and watching something very attentively. I came up to them and told that they attracted my attention. "Could I ask what you are watching?" They said : "yes, of course, come and watch with us. These are videos of poems from our project friends from Ganja city."

        I watched together with them and really liked their performances. Their videos evoke a deep interest in me to see the city of these talented students.

I was told that because of Covid restrictions I could visit Ganja only by plane. Though I had lived through unpleasant flight when I started my journey I encouraged myself again to travel by plane and got my tickets.

My plane landed in Ganja in the morning. So I decided first to have a nice breakfast. I asked what I could eat and where. Some friendly and hospitable citizens invited me to their houses to have breakfast and even stay. But I thanked them and set out. At the local cafe I ordered breakfast. The beauty of breakfast table and unimaginably smell and taste of food were amazing. I had famous Ganja "Kaymak"(kind of cream) with honey and "Tendir chorek" (bread baked in tandir)

 Food in Ganja

My first destination in this city was the mouseleum of great poet Nizami Ganjavi whose poems were told by students. That was a wonderful building  with statues around that were the heroes of his world famous work of literature "Leyli and Majnun", " Treasure of Mysteries" etc

        From there I went to see the most extraordinary building of the city, "Butulkalı ev" ("Bottle house")This house was built in the city centre in 1966 by architect Ibrahim on the honour of his brother who was lost during World War II. he hoped one day his brother would hear the fame of this house and come back. He built this magnificent building during a year and used 48 thousand bottles of different shape and size. I really admired that building.

        I stayed in this wonderful city for 2 days. But it wasn't  enough to see everything. I hope to come to this city again one day.

       I'm happy that my Gap Year Journey was so full. I had chance to see so many interesting cities, was met warmly by their friendly people.