the color blue Blue being my favorite color, I like seeing the prominence of it in Islamic architecture. In the research I've been doing while studying at LaPamba U I discovered some interesting info about it. "For one, the blue shades seen in the Gur-i Amir are colors of mourning. Blue was the color of mourning in Central Asia at the time, as it is in many cultures even today, and its dominance in the city's mausoleum appears to be a very rational idea. In addition, blue was also seen as the color that would ward off "the evil eye" in Central Asia and the notion is evident in the number of doors in and around the city that were colored blue during this time. Furthermore, blue was representative of water, which was a particularly rare resource around the Middle East and Central Asia; coloring the walls blue symbolized the wealth of the city." Thank you wikipedia!
WOW This sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. I bet most tours do not get invited to weddings. And what an amazing description you provided. I felt like I was there. Where's the vodka?
Here you are missing freezing rain and flurries and the winter that does not know how to end, so party on, Pam. I wish I were there!
The Party You did not say what you wore but I hope it was colourful and "swirly" for all that dancing. I,too ,am surprised that you were not "swirly" after all that vodka.
Sounds like fun. Pam, your host Yura sounds like a terrific person and certainly has given you an opportunity to interact with the local people. I look forward to seeing the wedding pictures if you were allowed to take any. If vodka going to be your new favorite, we will toast you with a few shots here. Stay safe and keep us posted.
WOW!!! Sounds like quite an experience. Good for you. It is so neat to really join in the REAL people's lives, rather than just be a spectator. We found that last year with the quicienera, the concegration, & sadly the funeral. The customs are different, but all cultures have interesting celebrations. We are so happy you got to be wedding guests. You must be a totally bonded group after all this. Continue enjoying your tour. & we are enjoying the updates. Tks.
R got another meatatarian fix last night. He had another prime rib meal. So did I, but I don't NEED it like he does. It was good, I must admit.
Packing today & tomorrow. Then on the road again Sun.
Have fun. love, R&C
Enjoying your blog Hi Pam
I have been enjoying your messages since you arrived in Turkey. I like your descriptions & reactions about what you see. I was a little worried for you with the ticket problems & cancellations you described but you always deal with probs in an intelligent way, & you seem so calm! Sounds like you're with a fun group now. I'm blown away with the history of Samarkand. Have fun. Cheers. Linda
Wow Pam. It sounds like you're having a wonderful time. I have to say that I have always admired your lack of fear to try things and go places. The nice thing is that you take some of along. Luke and I are finally getting ready to plan our first trip abroad. Nothing as daring as your trips; just a Viking River Boat Tour. I await your next blog!:) Enjoy.
Built in the 700's & still standing?!! Amazing! & I thought MX was old. Well, I guess some of the pyramids are, but not the European structures. We (Europeans) are such snobs, aren't we? Or is it just me? Anyway your tour sounds terrific. Glad you have fun people to share it with. That sure would help. & a great guide is a must.
We will be leaving here Sun after Mass & lunch, to go to BC. We can't face the winter just yet. You are getting your wish, the melt is going slowly. So we are making our way home slowly. Benjamin has his First Communion on Apr. 28, so we will attend that. Then we will probably go home after that.
Continue enjoying. love, R&C
Uzbek Happy to hear your trip is going well and that you have some good travel companions. Pam I look forward to seeing your pictures of the memorials, squares and the countryside. The food sounds good. Our dinner group just had an Indian dinner and it was terrific. You may have to give us a sample of the food when we visit this summer.
All is well here, the temps. have been great and we are spending lots of time outside. You must be happy to be away because we are hearing nothing but complaints about all the snow and cold in Sask. & Man.
We are off to Atlanta for a grandparents day on May 2 when you get home.
Stay safe and in touch,
Love, D
Getting warmer Hope the touring is good. This "just in"...Justin Trudeau won the Liberal leadership yesterday with 80% of the first ballot votes. He has a couple really cute kids. There were two explosions at the Boston Marathon today and some people died. It is struggling to get above zero here but the melt is starting. You will be pleasantly surprised at the lack of snow when you get home (I am hoping it will be gone by then !). Take care, stay safe, enjoy the sights.
Regina and Crooked Lake news Loving your blog, thanks. Catsit last week at McNeil's which is on same block as Goldie's house. Could see the work being done on her roof. Still a ways to go for her.
Jill and I went down to the lake yesterday. Even though the ice is still on the lake and river, the levels are beginning to rise. Almost to the top of the river bank. Decided we needed to start getting furniture up and out. Snowshoed in to the cabin as our roadway in is still deep in snow. Had to use an axe to chop the ice away from the cabin door to get in. Some clear areas around buildings on south side. Pleasant working weather, overcast but warm. We got a lot of stuff moved out of the boathouse and put much of the furniture in the cabins up out of what (we hope) will be harms way. We intend to go down again this weekend and finish the work, staying overnight.
Still some deer around. One very pregant female came up our cabin door looking for something green to eat. Felt sorry for the old girl. Hope she and baby make it.
I won (on CBC Saskatchewan Weekend... a show I am usually not up early enought to listen to but was up early getting ready to go to lake) two Junofest wristband to get into many of the JUNO venues this week. Hope to go see the taping of Q with Jian Gomeshi at the Center of the Arts on Thursday._
Sounds great! It really does. Glad you have good companions & a good guide. But I am sure you would get along with most people. You are outgoing enough & not to judgemental. Good for you.
I think the melt is going slowly. Had 2 whiney emails this am about the weather. They had more snow on Thurs. The temp is not too high. So I think no problem so far.
We leave here next wk. Not anxious to face the great white north. Don't know what we will do. Maybe we will have to go to Monique's. They have greens growing in the greenhouse already. They are picking & eating. Lucky people.
We have been trying to make decisions about accommodations for the wedding. Sounds like the R. LaBelle's will be camping. Michelle will get a tent or camper from Steph. So that would be great.
We are still enjoying Vegas. Hate to leave the heat. But... Reality will be setting in soon.
Enjoy. We look forward to you next missive. Love, R&C
Landing on your feet For a while,this was sounding like the holiday of mixed bookings...or is that blessings? Enjoy your tour. We are avoiding potholes and puddles but I feel no bitter wind. Mike's observations about Margaret Thatcher are biting enough.
I love coincidences! This morning I opened the October, 1918 National Geographic magazine and the feature article is about Turkestan which at that time included what is now Uzbekistan. It makes your blog that much more interesting. Will you be going to Bukhara? If you do, tell me if you get to see the tomb of Timur. I also understand that their carpets are (were) some of the finest. I'm with you there in spirit. Carry on!
It's Friiiiiiiiiday ! Hey Pam, good to read your blog as always. What is this "green space" you speak of ?
It seems you are doing well adapting to the travel glitches. Our best-laid plans go oft aglay... I am not convinced that I could roll with these punches so easily. The market sounds interesting. I'm enjoying your descriptions of the "everyday" things like what you're eating, how the locals appear, who does and does not speak English...
Enjoy the relative ease of the tour; I hope it will feel good to relax and let someone else make the arrangements. Your glass is truly half-FULL today.
accommodation arrangements Hi Pam,
I wonder, as I read your description of these emails recommending changes in your accommodations, if this is some sort of scam? Or is it just incompetence on the part of the booking agent? It seems like you are handling all of this confusion admirably, though. I forwarded your blog link to a young friend who is heading to Turkey with a few friends at the end of the month. I hope you don't mind but I thought it might be interesting if not instructive.
Cheers,
Jan
Tashkent? I didn't know it had been destroyed. I weas thinking you'd find the ancient city. I guess the market is an example of what the entire city once was?
Wow, after all the pre-arranging, you've certainly had challenges in bookings. ANd good fortune, as you say.
I'm in Saskatoon, and the roads are closed currently between Regina and Stoon due to icy conditions. It snowed a couple of inches yesterday. You escaped!
I am off on another travel venture. This retirement thing is quite wonderful ,I recommend it to you all. Keep me posted on your activities.... full info
Mo Adams
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Alexander
"Near a fort of A the Great!!!" It gives me shivers. Hope the yurt is comfy. Are you all in together?