Busy bussing

Yesterday, I was supposed to go on a guided tour of fire and fury. Visiting mud volcanoes and fire mountains. But the weather forecast was anything but promising. And when stepping out from my hotel, the forecast was spot on. Torrential rain and strong vids. Often gale gusts. I went to the designated meeting spot anyways. Just in case. But 15 minutes before the designated pickup time, I got a message saying the tour was cancelled due to the weather conditions. As expected. So I took the metro back to the station closest to my hotel. And stayed there for a while waiting for a break in the weather. I had come down with a sore throat, so I didn't want to be soaked and cold walking back to my hotel. I also had lunch there while waiting. Finally, the weather cleared, and I was able to walk back. I spent the rest of the afternoon in bed. Curing my sore throat.

Today, I was going up into the mountains. By bus. I already had the ticket. I woke at 5. Not in anticipation. Nor by the alarm on my phone. But rather by the people next door. A bunch of guests assembled in the room next door and held a "conference". Loudly. So I gave up sleeping. Maybe I am too nice?

In the end, I got up, had a shower and packed my bags. I had a super quick breakfast before I left for the subway. I arrived at the bus station half an hour before my bus was supposed to leave. And then I waited. And waited. And waited. No bus. 10 minutes after it was supposed to leave, there still was nothing. I used the translator to ask an official where the bus was. He waved me to com with him. He asked one of the ticket ladies. "The bus doesn't go today. Errr... What? 

Ticket lady : "You want your money back?"

Me : "No I want a new ticket."

Ticket lady : "Ok. No problem! Next bus is 11"

Me: "Ok, I will take than one then"

She walked off and came back with some notes and coins. 

Me: "No, I wanted ticket, not money"

Ticket lady: "Not here, next boot over there!"

She pointed to the next ticket boot. 

I sighed, took the money and walked over. The lady there luckily spoke good English. She made out my ticket for the 11 bus and I handed her the money I had got.

"This is not enough. This is 9 manat. I need 13"

The other ticket lady only refunded me 9 manat out of the 13 I had paid for my original ticket. I was annoyed, but decided not to waste any more time. I was guided to the bus and got a good seat. A short time afterwards, we were heading out. And across the gates the bus left through, was written in large, friendly letters : "Good luck!" Wasn't too sure how I were supposed to interpret that...

Apart from almost hitting a cow, the trip was fairly eventless. And after 4 hours, the landscape shifted into mountainous and green. And in the end, we had arrived in my final destination, Sheki. With some ancient palaces and other places of interest. In addition to the lovely setting, of course.

No bus-ride is complete without a stop at a "choke and puke"

My hotel was a short walk from the station. I waved off a dozen or so taxi drivers. The temperature was nice, and the weather lovely. And after 5 hours of sitting on a bus, I needed/wanted the walk. The hotel was beautiful. I was welcomed by a young receptionist. "I have a reservation" I said and handed her my passport. She found my reservation.

She: "Visa?"

Me: "No, Mastercard".

She looked puzzled.

She: "Visa!"

Me: "Nooo. I only have mastercard".

She: "Your border visa!"

Me: "Oh! THAT visa...."

I pulled out my Azerbaijani visa and handed it to her. Oh well. How was I to know...

After she had showed me to my room, I went out and found a small hole-in-the-wall shawarma-shop a short walk away. And got myself a delicious shawarma. After a short walk before sunset, I retired to my room to rest and write this entry.

Tomorrow is my last day of exploring before heading back to Baku and the airport. 

Ragnar

Buzzy travelling