Beware of Lexus.

Anybody who lives or lived in Baku will tell you that traffic here is nightmarish. Conditions of the roads are poor and most of them are in constant state of repair or improvement, which causes chaotic closures of familiar routes.

Drivers of Baku are quite aggressive and it isn’t uncommon to see a car going into the line of oncoming traffic. Equally common is to see cars speedily backing down the roads. (This maneuver always inspires awe in me.) To express their impatience or to let you know of their whereabouts drivers rely on their horns that often sound more like old-fashioned klaxons. Perhaps they relay on them too much, because honking cacophony accompanies every minute of navigating the roads.

As for pedestrians they are one reckless bunch – they don’t fear for their lives, they just cross the roads whenever they feel like it. It is especially unnerving when they suddenly appear in front of your car emerging from behind the front of the bus.

To add some spice to all that mix there are buses that drive like sedans and policemen whose prime function is to take fines in whatever sums it suits them.

Anyone will tell you that you have to implore defensive driving here and need to be acutely aware of your surroundings. I will add to it my personal advice – beware of Lexus – those pricey vehicles carry the most dangerous drivers, the ones who think that they rule the road.

In Praise of Morpheus.

Despite the fact that everyone knows how important sleep is – it is from its precious time we often snatch an hour or two. We snatch them and put them on the alter of efficiency or productivity (whatever word appeal to you more.) I think secretly people regard sleep as time of idleness and idleness isn’t something we can commit ourselves to lightly. (Bertrand Russell devoted a whole article to this subject back in 1932, as well as numerous authors in recent years, so I am not going down this path today).

I am here to sing the praise to Morpheus, the winged son of Hypnos and Pasithea.
You talk to people and they either confess that they don’t have enough sleep or that they couldn’t to reach a blissful oblivion. Depending on a day I swing from one group to the other. Today is Washington’s Birthday, which means that while I didn’t need to go to work, my kids had to go to school, and, with my husband away, I found myself alone in the house with no particularly pressing errands.

As soon as the doors closed behind the boys, I flew upstairs and straight into the arms of Morpheus. He softly blew onto my eyelids and the reality ceased to exist. I woke up at noon – first time in my whole life! (I was sleep deprived, wasn’t I?) Somebody hummed “I’ve Got the World on a String” nearby and it took me a moment to realize that it was me.

“The hell with the things that I have to do”, I thought, “I am taking this day off.” And I continued with slow morning ablutions, followed by a leisurely branch. As I cupped a hot coffee mug and inhaled its aroma, I closed my eyes and was transported to a wooden terrace overlooking the ocean. The smell of the ocean, the light breeze, the whisper of the trees – it made me smile. It wasn’t a fleeting smile but the one that rises deep from within: slowly growing, expanding until it reaches the lips, the corners of the eyes and finally, flood your whole being with happiness.

I was perfectly content! And all thanks to a few extra hours of sleep! (I wish it can be the way of bottling such perfect moments, keeping them for the gloomy days.)

Hope you all had a wonderful day as well,
VC