Baku Warnings Or Dangers

The traffic can be manic. We saw a burning car on our way in last time (Dec-07) near Heydar Aliyev Prospekt, and no-one appeared to be in a rush to put it out.
Also, if you park in the wrong place, you may find that the police remove your number plates and you may have to pay to get them back. This happened to a friend who left his car, with hazard lights on, outside a shop while he went inside to buy something.
The problem is also that it often isn't clear where you can and can't park in the city.

The traffic can be manic. We saw a burning car on our way into the centre recently (Dec-07) near Heydar Aliyev Prospekt, and no-one appeared to be in a rush to put out the flames.
Also, if you park in the wrong place, you may find that the police remove your number plates and you may have to pay to get them back. This happened to a friend who left his car, with hazard lights on, outside a shop while he went inside to buy something.
The problem is also that it often isn't clear where you can and can't park in the city.

when I was riving to Baku from Iran border some of polices takes teckets to me in different ways also fake! it was 2004 summer.but I heared that now if you observe speed limit (70 km/h) you dont take tickets!

Driving down the road I saw sometthing beside a shop that completely got me. They were processing a whole cow in the alley to make up the meat counter for the store. They buy on-the-hoof. And they turn it from Elise the cow into fillet the dinner as you watch! The entire process occurs on the sidewalk. No more to speak about that!

Being in a hurry is not part of polite society here. All is done at a casual, relaxed pace. EXCEPT DRIVING! That is reserved for bi-polar psychopaths. Traffic the standard level of insane. No problem. Just ignore it. Walk in the street as needed. Only pay attention AFTER the driver honks the horn. Drivers will drive the wrong way down the road for miles against on-coming traffic. No one notices or seems to care. They do it passing the police. Apparently black Mercedes are automatically expected to do it (Mafia?), but if it is not a black Mercedes you MIGHT be stopped and ticketed. Just ask what the fine is, pay it, and continue to drive like a lunatic. "Tips" and fines (bribes) range from $5 to $100 (if you're driving while drunk). Reminds me of the Texas laws back when I was a kid.

When going by car, or just going by car in the city center, you will find yourself in one gigant traffic accident. At least you will feel that way. The traffic is actually really bad, and crossing a street is really dangerous. Always cross streets were there are traffic signals. (and even though, be carefull) My advice, be carefull!

Beware of police in Baku, as when they see a white face they will try to get money out of you, especially if you are driving, although it is getting less and less frequent.

The majority of the police are friendly, but don't try to make friends with them too much!

Despite what most would think,this is just a childrens wear shop. Baku has a ratio of 1 childrens wear shop to about every 5 children under 10 years from my estimation.
I guess this place suits those who are buying cloths for a child that they want to make look a bit of a 'tosser'.