Vugar Mammadov

Azerbaijan and Me

After regaining its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has faced many challenges, including restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty, dealing with refugees and IDPs and at the same time integrating into the international community. Azerbaijan generally is well-known because of its oil and caviar (ask U.S. officers at the Logan Customs). But it took me a long time after I had traveled to other countries and met different cultures, to realize how beautiful and diverse my country is. There are 9 out of 11 climates, from semi-desert to sub-tropics; more than half of the World?s mud volcanoes are in or off Eastern Azerbaijan; the Caspian Sea is the biggest lake in the world; one can ski in summer in the Northern mountains when the temperature in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, is above 100 F. Throughout its history, Azerbaijan practiced Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam. As Azerbaijanians say, "you should come to Azerbaijan to understand what I am talking about."

I decided not limit myself only to pictures from Azerbaijan, but to also show you something else. Before I came to the United States, I was planning to visit the best U.S. landscapes. Unfortunately, it did not work. The USA is so big! Nevertheless, my family and I have visited many beautiful spots and met so many interesting people. And of course, I fell in love with the Boston Red Sox! GO RED SOX and enjoy the exhibit.