h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Smudger, I really enjoyed your piece about Azerbaijan.
I travelled there last year to watch Wales in the football and loved it!

Hi Mickey, for that, I only wish mine had been a short stay as well, but I was there to work! Did you go any where near Baku? I remember seeing a large stadium in Moscow, it had been built for the olympics? yet it looked like it was half demolished!
Smudger.

We stayed for a week in Baku - in the Hotel Absheron and did our drinking in the Lancaster Gate, a pub just round the corner from the Maiden's Tower.

I stayed at the "Entourist" hotel, cant remember any pubs by that name, mind you it was back in 1990. I remember the tower though, coz I took some pictures when I was at the top of it
Smudger.

Not sure how long the pub's been open but it was a centre for the ex-pats, run by a Liverpool supporting Brummie called Dave

Ah! that explains it then, as we were the only Ex pats out there at the time! There were no British pubs or the like, just a German who was in charge of the bottle factory, that we nicknamed Hermin?
Smudger.

Would you mind taking a look at a guide entry for me?
I've written a piece about Baku - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A1157609

Hi Mickey, I read your article, it was well written and researched. I must admit though that I am glad that I was there in 1990 before all the changes occured. I mean, there was no way I could have even thought that a McDonalds would be there ever!!
So in a way I consider myself fortunate in that I saw it for Real! I also saw them gain their independace from Russian rule. There was only a few western Expats there at the same time as me, and knowing what has happened in the name of so called progress, and I dont think I would like to go back again now, as it would spoil a few happy memories for me!
Smudger.