Tashkent and Samarkand

Oct 4 to 7;  Wednesday to Saturday, #3

Met Mehmet and the others - a mixture from the US and Australia, one of which is a travel writer collecting info from this area for her next story.  All have been on at least 1 - 3 of Mehmet’s tours before.  

We’ve been to some wonderful local markets in Tashkent and Samarkand that don’t have any tourists so our group of 10 is  the excitement of the day for the locals.  Went into one family’s home where the hostess showed us how to make Pilov, a local dish like Paella, which we ate there while listening to her husband explain the 400 year old history of their home.  Have had fun interacting with all of the people.  

Evening shoots are out to capture the setting sun over the special Mosques and Medresahs (ancient schools);  beautiful 1000 year old buildings. Unfortunately in Samarkand the weather turned very cold (8*C) and rainy but by the time we left Samarkand 2 days later  it warmed up to 28 - 30*C in the day.  Several evenings in the last 4 days we have been able to eat on outdoor terraces.  

Registan Square

Arches

Samarkand was the ancient capital while Tashkent is now the current capital of Uzbekistan.  The Russians fought to take over the country in 1865, damaging many historical buildings in the process.  When the country became independent again in 1991, the Soviets only left behind their shoddy apartment buildings.  What historical building that are left are all painted cream with white trim; which shows some of the character of the buildings.  

University Law Library

The Romanov Palace is still intact and just lovely.  Many new government buildings are very modern, all done in white and glass.  Main roads are 8 to 10 lanes wide with treed boulevards and underpasses for pedestrians to cross and everywhere there are police or military guards by all government buildings.  Mike was taking a photo of a beautiful mural on the side of an apartment building when a fellow in camouflage uniform stopped him to say he couldn’t take a photo of the military building which was beside the apartment complex.  Mike tried to explain what he had taken when the guard insisted in seeing the display on his camera.  When he was satisfied we were shooed us away.

Earthquake Damaged

Long Time Traders

The people speak both Uzbek and Russian (Thank you = Rakhmat and Spasibo) with more young people learning another one or two languages in addition.  Kids go to school 6 days a week and all wear uniforms; look very smart.  Most go on to university with the top 30% in marks getting full scholarships.  

 

Smiling Eyes 

Traditional Dress and Modern Cell Phone

Being under strong military rule for over 100 years, the people quickly learned to never step out of line, consequently there is still very little crime and no litter on the streets.  Such a delight, and you really do feel safe if you are out walking in the evenings.  There is quite a mixture of dress from long full face hijab, long coats and head scarves,  and to modern trendy western wear.  

Modern dress

Fashionable Gold Capped Teeth

Stay tuned to see what it is like away from the cities and along the real Silk Road.