Tour guide Aida of Azerbaijan Baku

Azerbaijan from the lens of tour guide Aida

Local tour guides are more familiar with the essence of a place

If you want to experience the true essence of any country, then the local tour guide is the best option. Ayida is one of the best local tour guides we have ever encountered in Baku. Exploring Baku with Aida was a wonderful experience. She showed us those sites which were quite hidden or whose history was more familiar to the locals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

begins

Our journey began with the mesmerizing old city. The walk of the old city takes you into history. Baku is layered with the rich history and archeological sites are also preserved now. Big castles with rich construction can be seen.

Baku is such an artistic city

Baku is undoubtedly a city of arts; it has many artists in history with different sculptures and statues still intact.

Exploring the old city of Baku with tour guide Aida

• An archeological site that was considered the path of water in the past.
• A historical graveyard
• Maidan tower which Aida told that it is considered that a princess once suicide from this tower but it’s not authentic. These are the stories related to it.
• Place of martyrs: There was a place where all the martyrs of the Soviets were buried. Many young soldiers were martyred under Soviet attack. Ayida told that there were 6 months married couple before the war. During the war, her husband who was a soldier was martyred after that his wife suicide in his love. In the honor of all these martyrs, a Mishaal is always burning at their place.

Exploring local food

As Aida was a local so she was fully familiar with the local food restaurants. She took us to a restaurant that had a great ambiance and food. She ordered some local food which contains kababs, rice called plov, and meat stuffed in grape leaves which is called Dolma. We tried the food and that was amazing. The food was not spicy at all and was full of taste. It was a great experience.

Dessert

The baklawa was the traditional local dessert of Azerbaijan served with tea or called chai or kawa. The dessert was rich and full of calories yet had a melting taste.

Financial conditions

Our tour guide Aida told us that it’s very difficult to earn bread here as it’s very expensive for the locals here. The salaries are very low. The condition is sometimes so poor that a family cannot have meat for their whole life. Life is so tough here. Every member of the family has to earn to meet their needs. Sometimes one has to do an extra job. Girls and boys are equally working hard here.  Ayida is also working as a finance assistant in a company as well as a tour guide to meet the needs of her family.

Some wedding traditions

During the walk in the old city, Aida told us some interesting traditional stuff about Azerbaijan. It was quite similar to other Muslim countries. A wedding is always a happy moment for all. once both families and a boy and girl are agreed to get married, they give Hadiya (some money as a gift) in the teapot which was served to the boy’s family. it’s a gesture of saying yes from a family. After that, the exchange of rings which is also called engagement is arranged.  For the wedding, the boy’s family has to give money to the girl’s family for dowry. The girl’s family can utilize that money in the marriage or can make stuff for the bride. In Azerbaijan only registered and documented Nikkah is valid. If the marriage is not registered then it’s illegal.

New bride

In some family’s new bride have to cover her head for her whole life but in some families, it’s just for some days. She can remove the scarf after 2,3 months of marriage. On the first cooking of a new bride, she is given some money as a gift and appreciation.

Great time together

Tour guides are always helpful in understanding the inner sights of a place. We had a great time with tour guide Ayida and got interesting information about Azerbaijan. Always consider the local tour guides wherever you are planning to visit.

 

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