Just came back from my short trip to Baku, Azerbaijan - a former Soviet republic and a birthplace of the modern oil industry.
Yes, indeed, the birthplace of the oil industry: first oil tanker in use, first offshore drilling and many other "firsts". Wikipedia search this, if you don't trust me.
Notice anything familiar? Probably not. But this is the oil drilling field where James Bond's "The World Is Not Enough" (1999) filming took place.
To cut long story short: it has been a great trip. Loved the country, the history, the food. And the locals indeed seemed pretty great :)
Follow me, fellas. More short stories from my other trips are coming.
Kir-B