Juma Mosque and Mountain Villages

Rain today. Also a many-hour bus ride through and around mountains to Shaki in northwestern Azerbaijan. Straight north from Baku is Russia, we headed west and northwest. The foothills were rounded, some short grass, small bushes, olive trees, pines. Mountain tops were somewhat rounded, too, though for much of the trip they were covered with fog. The drive was a pretty steady uphill with switchbacks in several places. Highest mountain is 7500 feet.

Wheat and barley grown in lower elevations, hay in higher. Agriculture includes olives, vineyards, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, dairy including butter and cheese. I saw sheep, cows, goats, geese, chickens, horses in

roadside fields. Many small communities, a few larger towns with resorts more common in higher elevations.

We stopped at Juma Mosque, an important religious site first constructed in the 11th century. Our guide talked about Moslem religious beliefs and described differences between Sunni and Shia practices.

We were next scheduled to visit a small village for lunch and to tour a coppersmith’s workshop. However the road there was closed due to mudslides. So we continued on, stopping for lunch in a small resort town further on.

Tonight we are staying in Shaki, a small mountain town with wonderful views from the windows. Checked in, then walked to the village center. Bought cookies at the market, walked through a park and down several streets.

Dinner tonight was exceptional ! Salads, soup, main dish of beef and vegetables served on a large tray. Finished with a glass of wine on the veranda.