It’s been a while since we returned from our South American trip last year. Spring, summer, fall, and most of winter have gone by. President Trump continues to spread peace and prosperity throughout the globe. Uncharacteristically for us, we spent the winter at home, enjoying time with family and friends.
But inevitably, it was time to dig the travelling shoes out from the back of the closet. First stop on this trip is Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia.
This unassuming little building the the home of one of the world’s oldest Korans.
Tashkent contains a mix of Imperial Russian, Soviet-era, and post independence buildings. People are very friendly and relaxed.
Coming soon: the Center for Islamic Civilization. It is enormous. It’s scheduled to open later this month.
Our accommodation is near the Chorsu Bazaar. Run by a nice family. Close to a Metro station, but on a quiet side street.
Lots of the usual commercial hubbub in the market. We track down the Consumer Electronics sector, because somebody forgot to pack a power bar.
Typical of people in Muslim countries, Uzbeks are keen on sweet things.
They also eat a lot of meat here.
True story: on our flight from Warsaw to Tashkent, the flight attendant passes out sandwiches, which she says contain ‘meat’. ‘What kind of meat’, someone asks. ‘I don’t know. Not pork.’
Uzbekistan produces excellent ceramics. Too bad they’re bulky, heavy, and fragile.
Besides traditional designs, people also come up with unique pieces. I would buy this in a heartbeat if I had a way to get it home.
Like markets everywhere, there is always merchandise being freighted by unconventional means. This vintage Lada is delivering its weight in wood furniture.
On our first day, I make a new cat friend. We were just taking a rest when this kitty decides to climb into my lap for a snooze.
There are very few stray dogs around. People are generally nice to cats. We pass this cat hotel in the swanky embassy district.
In the same diplomatic ‘hood, we visit the Museum of Applied Arts.
Nice house. It used to belong to a Russian diplomat.
A Yandex (local Uber-type app) ride takes us across town, where we begin a self-guided walking tour at the State Art Museum. Cost of a 20-minute ride: less that $3.00 CAD.
The Romanov Palace was the home of exiled bad-boy Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich. Not coincidentally, he provided the original collection of paintings for the nearby Art Museum.
Many men here like to wear black clothing – like, A LOT of men. We ask a local if he can tell us why. He says ‘Really? I’ve never noticed. And I have no idea.’
On our last day in Tashkent we get a dump of snow. The previous day, we were lounging in a sunny park in our shirtsleeves.
Note the Soviet-era network of gas pipes in the background. Just like the Caucasus, as noted in earlier entries.
Sight or Insight of the Day
Tashkent is well known for its elegant Metro stations.
It’s the best way to get around town. Tashkent is mostly made up of long, wide, grandiose boulevards, a Soviet city-planning habit. Not very good for walking, though.
Each station has a theme.
The price for a ticket anywhere on the extensive system? A princely 19 cents Canadian. Just flash a Visa card at the turnstile and go. Beats the pants off the O Train in Ottawa.
