Lahic - Lahij - Azerbaijan

A few friends and I made a trip to one of the must see sites of Azerbaijan, Lahic. It is an ancient village, up in the mountains of Ismayilli, famous for its copper artisans and cobble stone streets. We stayed with our friend, Nate, in the city of Ismayilli, and made a day trip up to the village. It was an interesting hour and a half trip up in the drizzling rain of steep mountains, narrow, crumbling roads, and Indiana Jones rope bridges (Don't worry, we chose not to cross it). It was completely worth it. This was the best tourist site I have seen so far. We stayed about four hours looking at the beautiful streets, shops, and people. Here is a Lahicite tapping away on his copper. He tried to get his little boy to get out of the way for a better picture, but really, the child is what makes it so cute.

A little break for lunch. Tasty Kabob, tomatoes, and cucumbers with Nate Storey, Allison Breed, and Alec Lisko.

Another nice copper shop. I kept having the "If only I had Lots and Lots of money" thoughts. These would be truly great (and heavy) keepsakes. While walking around here, Nate and I stopped, and spoke for a few minutes for a documentary a woman was making about tourist areas in Azerbaijan. Beads of sweat were gearing up when I asked her if we had to speak in Azerbaijani. Thankfully for all of us, she translated everything.

Allison and I outside of the Mosque

The CUTEST old lady ever. She wouldn't let Allison take the picture without her knitting needles in hand. We stopped by her shop about three times, and I finally bought beautiful blue and red hand knitted ankle socks in traditional style.

Every time we passed by the little old lady's shop, a man kept saying 50 cents for a picture. I understood after awhile he was telling us, we could pay fifty cents to try these beauties on (and then take our own pictues in them - no camera provided). Who wouldn't?

We stopped by the school to check out the murals on the walls. Instead, we were first directed to this. A typical Azerbaijani school decoration. A large soldier to remind everyone of the atrocities inflicted upon them during the Qarabagh war, and the continuing struggle for land and freedom. At this point in our tour, though, the director was alerted to our presence, came over, brought us into his office, and gave us tea and sweets. He was extremely hospitable and unconditionally grateful for the Peace Corps Volunteer they had two years before. It is encounters like those that are humbling about our service here.

Walking around the village

I love these cars

A major MAJOR thanks to my friend and photographer, Allison Breed. The first half and wonderful quality pictures I put up here were her creations.