Day16 - Into Uzbekistan

We are at the breakfast table at 5:45 am and the airport at 7:00' through two sets of X-ray screenings and security checks, passport checkout, by 7:30.

We know what to expect, but it is always exhausting. And we are not through yet. We will need to clear Uzbek customs which could be rigorous. We will see. I carry and have declared prescription medications with the understanding that it may be easier not to declare but it would be just my luck not to declare and be inspected, so I am honest.

Our plane ride is expected to be short (1 hour +), and we will board in a couple of minutes.

We arrived in Tashkent and changed our time an hour ahead, so essentially, we arrived the same
time we left. It is our understanding that we flew into Uzbekistan because it is easier to arrive by air than across the land border for tourists. Russ and I already had our Visas but Aussies can get it upon arrival. While our fellow travelers were completing these formalities, we passed through immigration and customs. Russ went through customs easily as he had not declared any of the prescription medications he was carrying. He turned left an walked toward the door. I on the other hand, was told to do go to the right. I wasn't sure what, he told me (I suspected it was a luggage search), but after the second or third time of motioning and me looking confused and pointing the other direction at Russ, he shrugged his shoulders and waved me through. I hate luggage searches just on principle, but got out of this one.

 Uzbekistan is a sociailst democratic republic with both a president, prime minister, two chamber parliament, and Supreme Court. 83-85 % of the country is Muslim, but because religion was banned for so many years under the Soviets, Islam is practiced with less fervence as in other countries. Women here traditionally are used to wearing head wear out of Uzbek tradition, but many women wear nothing on their heads.

Match making tradition and ritual pre-wedding traditions lead up to the wedding itself. Families in this country, save money all of their lives, particularly if they have sons, for a multi-day wedding party. The grooms family pay for the wedding festivities that customarily have 2-300 guests. The brides family pays for nice clothing for the couple and are responsible for providing three rooms of furniture and household goods to get the couple started. The eldest son and his new wife live with the groom's family until the second son is to be wed, then the first son and wife find a place of their own. This continues until the youngest son is wed. He and his bride will live with parents and care for them until they die.

Upon our arrival we converted $300 US dollars to soms, 780,000! We are almost millionnaires. We have stacks of bills and need another bag just to carry them around. Their biggest note is 500. Cost of living is very inexpensive. A huge three course lunch in a nice restaurant cost us about $8.00 each.

The day is very hot, easily 100 degrees F. Our Uzbek guide Tanya takes us all around the city and does her best to keep us in the shade, but it's a blister and summer doesn't really start for another couple of weeks.

Somebody needs some lessons.

 What a contrast between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Post Soviet times for the basically nomadic people of Kyrgyzstan has been harsh economically, with revolutions against the government about every five years. Rich in beauty and tradition, Kyrgyzstan is not faring well economically and the buildings and infrastructure are in decline.

Uzbekistan on the other hand has a strong agricultural economic base, and has flourished with same president since Soviet times.


 The parks,

markets,

memorials,

Fountains,

public transportation (street cars and subways) are first world. Their toilets while plentiful still need some work.

By 6:00 we finish our city tour and cleanup at the hotel (we will actually be staying in upon our return in one week), in the lobby restroom. Then we head for the train station for an overnight ride to Bukhara. The train is Soviet style (basically not as nice as the Chinese trains smooth electric), and the air conditioning was negligible. The rail system is clckety-clack and diesel.

We spend a horrible night on the train, much like sleeping in a sauna. Russ and I barely slept and woke with dehydration headaches.

Day 17 - Bukhara

We checked into our hotel at 8:00 am, and have been holed up in our air conditioned room, re-organizing our stuff, doing laundry, and napping.

 We will leave at 2:00 ( less than an hour from now) for a walking tour of the city. Will tell you more about Bukhara in the next post.

All is Well with the Worrall Travel Rs In Bukhara