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We think our air conditioning in our room is not working too well, but when we step outside at 2;00 pm and meet our guide Dehlia, we realize that when the outside is 113 -145 degrees F outside, the inside air is pretty cool. Holy Bukhara, it's hot!
We pile into the van and our driver takes us a mile or so away from our hotel, then we get out and start to walk back to our hotel along the actual Silk Road
through ancient Bukara where we visit Mosques,
museums, madrases (Islamic seminaries), mausoleums, forts, Turkish Hammoms (bathhouses), and bazaars.
Over the centuries, Genghis Kahn and the Soviets have destroyed great portions of the old buildings, most of which have been repaired and restored so that one senses the antiquity and wonder of the legendary Silk Road.
Over the centuries, Genghis Kahn and the Soviets have destroyed great portions of the old buildings, most of which have been repaired and restored so that one senses the antiquity and wonder of the legendary Silk Road.
We walk slowly in the parching heat just as the merchants and camels did 1500 years ago, although the camels were undoubtedly more efficient.
During the Soviet period, the craftsmanship of thousands of years was almost lost as no one could independently produce handmade goods. After the collapse of the USSR, the Uzbeks were encouraged by their government to reclaim their traditions and handcrafts with tax free incentives to make and sell their goods.
Bukhara is filled with artists hammering designs on brass plates, shaping and glazing ceramics, knotting silk rugs, sewing pelts into hats, embroidering wall coverings , jackets, and clothing. One of Silk Road travelers has a birthday today.
We have a sunset celebration on a rooftop restaurant, and we enjoy an evening meal outdoors where it seems comfortable and cooler at 90 degrees.
Bukhara is filled with artists hammering designs on brass plates, shaping and glazing ceramics, knotting silk rugs, sewing pelts into hats, embroidering wall coverings , jackets, and clothing. One of Silk Road travelers has a birthday today.
We have a sunset celebration on a rooftop restaurant, and we enjoy an evening meal outdoors where it seems comfortable and cooler at 90 degrees.
Day 18, June 28 - A Free Day! First day of Ramadan.
We sleep in, Yes! But then decide to eat breakfast and get outside and do some exploring before it gets too hot. Ha! Nice thought, but no, it's over 100 degrees by 9;;30. We set out for the bazaars to buy a few souvenirs and gifts. We have to think small because our bags already seemed stuffed. Today is the first day of a month long Ramadan. Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset starting today for a month. That means no food or water while the sun is up. Really, no water? Yep!
We return to the hotel a couple of hours later where we cool down, so to speak, and enjoy a lazy day relaxing until we re-emerge on the streets at 6;30 to attend a dinner and cultural show.
It didn't even occur to any of us that the event would be outdoors, so the only negative of the evening was being in an absolutely beautiful courtyard of an old madrases where there was not a breeze to be found and the bricked floors even though they were now in the shade had soaked in enough heat and sun to be a pizza oven. Sweat pored down our faces, backs, fronts and thighs, as we truly enjoyed the meal and the performances. Russ and I have had more water than we have ever drunk and it comes out just as fast as we can drink it.
It didn't even occur to any of us that the event would be outdoors, so the only negative of the evening was being in an absolutely beautiful courtyard of an old madrases where there was not a breeze to be found and the bricked floors even though they were now in the shade had soaked in enough heat and sun to be a pizza oven. Sweat pored down our faces, backs, fronts and thighs, as we truly enjoyed the meal and the performances. Russ and I have had more water than we have ever drunk and it comes out just as fast as we can drink it.
We watch the fully dressed performers, looking amazingly cool, and wondering if they are fasting and not drinking any water as they perform? Our local guide Dehlia is a Muslim. She looks forward to Ramadan as a way to drop a few kilos.
We leave by van tomorrow at 8;00 am. Our itinerary:
Our drive into the Zerafshan Range provides us with magnificent views as we travel to Shakrisabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, and where the ruined entrance towers of his Ak-Serai Palace still stand. Shakrisabz is a pretty market town with winding mud lanes of traditional homes and a relaxed atmosphere among its many mosques and teahouses. This afternoon we arrive in Samarkand.
All is well with the Worrall Travel Rs
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