The bright morning sun slowly but surely casts its light on the village street of Nakhchivan, until at last the stone Garabagh houses are fully revealed. The fresh odor of the soil along with the cool wind prepare the atmosphere for the day. The first impressions of the venue are of order and tranquility.
You are staring at the Twin Minaret Tomb; the bricks of the 12th-13th centuries are dazzlingly illuminated by the sun. You are drawn to the cylindrical shape, the Kufic inscriptions, and the brickwork patterns to look for more details and discover a new design with each step.
As you wander around the village, the smoke from the tandoor gently touches your skin and is accompanied by children’s laughter. Carpets cover the yards, you hear people greeting each other from the doorsteps, and the shine of copper pots and pans draws you into the daily life cycle.
During lunch, when you are seated at a rustic table, you break warm tandoor bread with your hands. The tastes of the salty cheeses and the aromatic herbs are perfectly blended. You indulge in a piece of the thin-crusted Ordubad pita and sip tea prepared with mountain herbs while listening to the conversation.
On your return trip, you suggest a short photo stop at the banks of the Arpaçay Dam Lake. The water reflects the sky’s colors, and the soft lines of the beach offer a nice picture for your cameras. The small surf, which is caused by the wind, also makes your photos more interesting.
At your last stop, you enter a goldsmith’s studio; the hammering sound fills the room. The goldsmith’s persistent blows on the anvil are creating spirals and geometric forms. You can almost feel his artistry on your palm. The final product leaves a fine mark which is difficult to erase from your recollection of the day.
