We made it to Laerton... finally!!!
Trip Start
Feb 24, 2007
1
Trip End
Mar 08, 2007
Laerton, Azerbaijan
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
There aren't many people who know too much about Laerton. Having just recently separated from Azerbaijan, Laerton has yet to really be discovered by tourists. I'd give about 5-10 years before people start flocking to Laerton. It's just such a different world here. So far removed from everywhere else --- so secluded.... so backwards.
Laerton isn't a very rich country -- in terms of wealth. But what it lacks in wealth it makes up for in character. There is such an interesting vibe here. In Baranka (the capital city) it's very eerie. It is almost like an "I Am Legend" feeling. There's hardly anyone around during the daytime... I'll explain in a bit.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed Baranka. It's a fairly small town with a population of about 50,000 people. However, you'd never know that that many people even live there by the looks of it. What's unique about Baranka (and Laerton) is that most people sleep throughout the day and go about their business at night. Why? I'm not entirely sure. It has something to do with wanting to keep the spirits of their ancestors company during the chill of the night. I know there are a group of Gypsies living in the area that have been living like that for hundreds of years.
It's really weird. Kids go to school at nights. They'll grab their lanterns and head down to the school yard. The shops often open at dusk -- where 7am is early in Canada to start working, 8 at night is early in Laerton to start working. Obviously, I had a hard time adjusting to this strange nightly ritual.
Anyhow, I should probably go. It's 5:30 in the morning and I haven't had supper yet. I'm off to the little cafe down the road and then it's off to bed. It's been a long day... errr... I mean night.
THIS WAS AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE FOR MY CLASS! THERE ISN'T A PLACE CALLED 'LAERTON'... WHICH IS 'NOT REAL' SPELT BACKWARDS.
