Saturday, September 24, 2011

Exploring more of Azerbaijan...somewhere between Sheki and Qakh...

This summer I realized that the word “explore” comes into my mind quite often. I was mostly linking that word to traveling but it applies to everything. I was thinking that although I live on Absheron I have explored quite little of it…that although every summer I travel to Sheki I have explored little if any of its villages. Then I started thinking about this in Azeri because “explore” was coming to my mind only in English if you know what I mean. I started to think of the best word in Azeri that would convey what I mean by it in this context…I thought of “kəşf etmək, araşdırmaq, tədqiq etmək”....tried to explain to myself why I am thinking about this in English...

At some point in life exploring might seem/become quite a luxury…exploring would have to be joint if you have children since you know that they love spending their time with you regardless what you do (especially if you are exploring…). This year we tried to do a little bit of exploring. We didn’t locate everything we wanted; it wasn’t as comfortable as it could be since our little one is too young (less than two years old) but it gave a lot of food for eyes and thought about how much is out there to explore…and not only geographically...

sharing with you some photos with more to come...

on the way to Sheki...many villages lying in the feet of the mountaints...
view up from the hill between Sheki and Qakh...
fluffy mountains of Qakh...
my posts of four (!) years ago when we visited Qakh that is neighbouring Sheki for the first time can be read here and here.

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

20 September - Oil Workers Day in Azerbaijan...

Just like certain characteristics can determine life pattern of a person, natural resources determine history and very often future of the country. Oil and gas resources of Azerbaijan shaped up its name - Land of Fire...traditions - to name one of the most important that is welcoming of spring in March, Novruz, history - country was constantly invaded and divided and is still in ceasefire situation and welfare - during last ten years economy continued to grow and with new gas reserves more investments are expected...

Behind all aspects of oil exploration and in general everything in life there is a human factor. People - that find, explore and exploit oil and gas fields to name only few expertises.

Today my post is devoted to Oil Workers Day in Azerbaijan. This day is even closer to me because my father, Nadir Qiyasov, is a devoted oilman and I can say a unique geophysicist indeed.

Azerbaijan can boast not only with its oil and gas reserves but what is more important with its professional, highly-skilled, determined, very often self-sacrificing engineers, geologists, geophysicist, drillers and workers without whose joint effort it wouldn't be possible to put together any project of oil and gas exploration. I wish to all our oil workers good health, good, no, excellent working conditions and all the very best!

My last year’s post on Oil Workers Day can be read here.

I found this picture in family archive (and my dad doesn't even know that I am posting it). I love old photos in general...and on this one you can see how oil-men are having one of their heated discussions on oil field. This photo was taken in Soviet times when professionals from all 15 Republics would be doing their best for one big country...many years have passed...my dad is much older now (he is the third one in the middle on the picture) and is much happier to serve his independent country...


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Saturday, September 10, 2011

End of Ramadan...

Before I move on to other posts I want to mention that this year's Ramadan ended end August...days in August are long and usually quite hot in Azerbaijan. This year although hot at the beginning weather became milder during the month. Fasting period continued around 16 hours...With this post I want to mention that I hope there were many kind prayers during the month of Ramadan and those who fasted (including my parents) and not only :) will stay in good health to welcome Ramadan in years to come. Posting couple of pictures sent to me by my cousin, Fatima in Sheki from Ramadan feast. People visit each other at the end of Ramadan thus tables in every household in Sheki (and not only) are ready to welcome anyone who knocks on the door.

Be well...

My earlier posts on Ramadan can be read here and here.



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