Chapter 4
Baku
In the last days of September I got a circular about an international conference and exhibition in Baku. It was organized by the government of Azerbaijan for all private and state entrepreneurs from all over the world. For those who applied before deadline, travel and accommodation has been free. The circular has come to me late so, alas, only the accommodation in Baku would be free of charge for me. I telexed at once home and got permission to participate. I gave in my application and arranged air ticket.
From Baku I could not call my office, phone lines have been terrible. When I arrived at Moscow, I caught a taxi to the city.
Weather has been similar in Moscow than one week before. I found my car opened the next morning, the thief might have had the wrong moment for his attempt, as he was certainly disturbed. He wanted to take the radio, but could not finish his work.
The end of 1990 has brought changes in our conditions. By an agreement the two countries switched from the old fixed idea of transferable roubles to US dollars in international settlements. It meant all our settlements had to be made in dollars from January 1, 1991. We have received our salary in dollars, but we would have accounts in the bank both in roubles and dollars. To pay for lunch in the agency we had to have dollars. It looked all confused, but in a short time it would be plain.
The shop in our office building has been abandoned by the Hungarian retailer, they would not want to risk their dollars in a country like that. Funny, others would start their businesses exactly after the conversion time.