We drive for some four hours. The roads vary from good to not quite as good, however in general they are well maintained.
Stop at a roadside shack where they sell freshly pressed pomegranate juice. Brought a litre for under £2, very tasty. A cup a day keeps the radicals away.
Stop at a roadside shack where they sell freshly pressed pomegranate juice. Brought a litre for under £2, very tasty. A cup a day keeps the radicals away.
Got dropped off at our hostel, the Rumi which is on the border between the old and new city.
We are allocated a room with three single beds. It is clean, and the mattresses are merely very firm, in other words infinity more yielding. Joy of joys. So, with smiles, anticipating a better night's sleep, go off to explore.
We are allocated a room with three single beds. It is clean, and the mattresses are merely very firm, in other words infinity more yielding. Joy of joys. So, with smiles, anticipating a better night's sleep, go off to explore.
Decide to celebrate with coffee and cake. Big mistake.
Our first bout of Uzbekistan tummy smashes us with a vengeance. Not so bad for Mike, he sort of anticipates this, but much worse for Yvonne. Whatever happens, under no circumstances think you are only going to pass wind!! The good news is we have an en suite toilet and shower.
Emerge some 36 hours later somewhat thinner. However we don't recommend this as a weight loss program.
Our first bout of Uzbekistan tummy smashes us with a vengeance. Not so bad for Mike, he sort of anticipates this, but much worse for Yvonne. Whatever happens, under no circumstances think you are only going to pass wind!! The good news is we have an en suite toilet and shower.
Emerge some 36 hours later somewhat thinner. However we don't recommend this as a weight loss program.
Food for us is a bit of a problem as most dishes are meat based. So for a while it is bread, tea, water and banana, at least until solid reality returns.
Almost recovered we venture out to explore further. Mike decides fluid replacement also requires beer. Therfore makes a swift recovery, only to relapse later.
Bukhara is an ancient city on the Silk Road which contains hundreds of well-preserved mosques, madrassas, bazaars and caravanserais, dating largely from the 9th to the 17th centuries.
The 'Ark fortress' dates back to before 500 AD, according to written records. Destroyed and rebuilt many times. It is the oldest building in Bukhara. Recent excavations suggest that it in fact dates back to the 4 century BC.
Caravans would pass through the city loaded with silk and spices. Every year in May they hold a silk and spice festival to celebrate its heritage.
The 'Ark fortress' dates back to before 500 AD, according to written records. Destroyed and rebuilt many times. It is the oldest building in Bukhara. Recent excavations suggest that it in fact dates back to the 4 century BC.
Caravans would pass through the city loaded with silk and spices. Every year in May they hold a silk and spice festival to celebrate its heritage.
It has been a centre of learning for centuries. The old city is preserved, around it the new city has spread and is still under heavy development. It is home to one of the largest universities in Uzbekistan.
Approached more than a couple of times by university students asking us if we required assistance, so stop and have a chat and talk about this and that, where to eat, where to go. What we think about Uzbekistan, etc.
Approached more than a couple of times by university students asking us if we required assistance, so stop and have a chat and talk about this and that, where to eat, where to go. What we think about Uzbekistan, etc.
On the flip side as this is very much a tourist destination the local shop keeper is not beyond asking outrageous prices for basic commodities. Don't mind a bit of bartering but not our favorite pass time, and not going to barter for bananas.
Just about getting used to carrying a brick sized wad of currency around, and sorting out the different notes. A pound is worth about 11,500 Uzbekistan som. A 50,000 som note is worth £4.30.
Things are not as inexpensive as one might imagine, and the average Uzbek has the unshakeable idea that all tourists are super rich.
Some things are good value like transport costs (rail, buses, shared taxis) but only because those prices are stated and fixed.
To get into some of the historic buildings there are two prices, one for locals, and up to ten times that for tourists.
A pot of chi (tea) can cost as little as 1000 som, or as much as 16000, depending where you go. Tea is black or green, no sugar or milk is taken. If a price is not stated it is wise to enquire before you consume.
Nothing quite like killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Don't mind a fair price, despise a rip off.
Just about getting used to carrying a brick sized wad of currency around, and sorting out the different notes. A pound is worth about 11,500 Uzbekistan som. A 50,000 som note is worth £4.30.
Things are not as inexpensive as one might imagine, and the average Uzbek has the unshakeable idea that all tourists are super rich.
Some things are good value like transport costs (rail, buses, shared taxis) but only because those prices are stated and fixed.
To get into some of the historic buildings there are two prices, one for locals, and up to ten times that for tourists.
A pot of chi (tea) can cost as little as 1000 som, or as much as 16000, depending where you go. Tea is black or green, no sugar or milk is taken. If a price is not stated it is wise to enquire before you consume.
Nothing quite like killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Don't mind a fair price, despise a rip off.
Leave you with some photos. Ark fortress; one of many mosques; Yvonne in berber hat; Tim Abdullah trading bazaar.
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