Stan 3.2

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The Sharq was less swift and sleek than the play on words with the name suggested, but was still a good choice, way better than another shared taxi or, even worse, a bus.

Bukhara has an interesting mix of buildings – we found heavily restored (or perhaps newly built) places just a few metres away from tumbledown wrecks that looked ready to collapse, or in some cases were collapsing. By wandering around we found un-restored madrassas that were more accessible and interesting than many of the main tourist attractions. In one we came across a rehearsal for a modern ballet, in another a group of local old men were sitting around chatting, drinking tea and playing cards. Not wanting to sound too “Lonely Planet” it felt like we'd stumbled upon a bit of normal local life – putain however I say it that sounds sooo clichéd !!!

After our first two cities we're liking Uzbekistan, the people are warm and friendly, it's clean, there is far less corruption than we've seen elsewhere, the things we came to see are as dramatic as we expected and it's far less oppressive than we thought it might be.

Next we're off to Khiva which we think might be the best of all.

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Photos

Kalon Mosque
With Moskvitch in the foreground.

Comments

[Home and Away]

My favorite town was Bukhara...
I never made it to Kiva, so I await your blog. I did enjoy the Sharq!