Nabran

So I went to a place in Northern Azerbaijan that is considered a summer house area (the dacha is one's summer home in the country). The area was called Nabran, and while I was there for 5 days for work reasons- we had expected it to be a luxurious break from big city Baku life. Of course it WAS a very nice break from the daily grind here, and very interesting to see another part of the country (about 20 minutes from the border with Russia). But is also was VERY VERY hot, had limited air conditioning, we ate all our meals outside in pretty areas in the woods by a stream (read: MOSQUITOS) and because I am a vegetarian I lived largely off of bread, cheese and the sunflower seeds I brought with me (and occasional Pringles that were sold at the on-site shop). The fantastic diet, coupled with perhaps the drinking of some sketchy water, brought on my first go around with fun stomach problems. Those stomach problems lasted through my return to Baku, but eventually I was able to go back to my only somewhat better diet of too-few vegetables and too-little protein. Life is good again.

Soon after my return from Nabran, I went on a short trip to London to visit with a a friend. It was so nice to eat fantastic Indian food and spend time relaxed in absolute luxury and pampering. It is good to have a break and rejuvenate. I don't have any major plans scheduled until October, but you never know what September will have in store for me.