Expect some strange looks if you are openly carrying a camera though - camera ownership is unusual. I saw several camera owners offering their photographic services on the streets. The streets are thought to be relatively safe. Pretty healthy supply, never spotted brown outs or interruptions. Even restaurants do not always have running water.
Bottled water is available.
International links seem to work. Experienced some interruptions on calls to the UK, but I was not cut off. Electric trolley buses seem to be popular. The Azerbaijani currency is the Manat. In May 1996 there were around 6785 Manats to the GB pound and 4350 Manats to the US dollar.