Stalled in Khiva

Money Rules!!
I wonder what the word for commercialism was in ancient times? Probably greed. How times have changed so much yet remained the same. The fortresses outside of the city look impressive and the scrubby desert has its appeal. I see what you mean by the Ronnie stalls outside of the sites, makes it all seem cheap and too western progressive. Russian's have a good reputation for tackiness actually. The Disco bar sounds comical. Hope you have a pair of Hazmat suits with you? I wouldn't want one of your noses to fall off in Karst :) xx

80's disco & desert forts
Flashbacks of disco balls .... oh my. I wasn't a fan in the 80's so certain it would not do much for me now. The buskers can ruin a beautiful place. That is how I felt about Petra. Amazing but too commercial for me....but amazing. If we saw one more selfie stick at the pyramids we were going to scream. Not our idea of seeing the world but that is ok I guess everyone has to do it their way. You have to go to towns like Kiva to make sure and it makes you appreciate the others all the more. And your summary is correct...sometimes it is timing. We've been places we loved and gotten emails from people with a different story asking really? And so many people love Kathmandu and even though it had a few lovely parts overall we thought it was a sh__hole.