A Day in Tashkent

 

We toured the city of Kashtent with our very knowledgeable guide Nausirat. He is a retired professor who speaks Russian, Uzbek, English and Arabic. 

His pride in hhis country was very evident. Although this part of hte world has been aaround for 2000+ years, Uzbekistan has had independence for only 25 years.  This is their symbol of independence. 

 

We visited the  Khoja Akhrar Vali mosque.

 

 The foundation of the mosque was built in 819. It has undergone many restorations since that time, the most recent being  in the 1990’s. The most impressive aspects were the beautiful dome and the display of a Koran from the 7th century that was inscribed on deer skin.

 

The highlight of the day was visiting the local market. We may have been the only foreigners at the market, so naturally people were curious about us. With Nausirat’s assistance we were able to talk to people. 

 

The most frequent question was where we were from, followed by how old we were.  The oldest lady we met at the market was 82, She was selling an assortment of tasty dried cheese balls. 

 

Bread, called “non”,  has a a very important meaning, the attitude towards bread is reverential.  Bread has sacred features; it is connected to certain rituals signifying life’s major events such as weddings, childbirth and the departure of a son for military service. Bread is never wasted or put on the ground. If you decide not to eat it, then it should be placed outside on a raised area for the birds to enjoy. 

 

It is custom to bring bread to a home when you are invited as a guest. The bread comes in a variety of sizes best but is always round in shape and usually has with a depression in the middle. You are to bring 2, 4 or 6 rounds of bread. 

We watched bread being made in a large clay tandoor oven. Unlike home, the bread is attached to the top of the ceiling to be baked. The men were the bakers/sellers  of the every day bread. The women sold and presumable baked the fancier breads.

 

We are here for the spring season so there is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Steve was thrilled to see cherries , but sad to hear that the cherry season is almost over. 

 

With Nausirat's assistance, we also felt more comfortable exchanging money on the black market. The official rate is  US $1 to 4000 Uzbek SO’M,  but on the black market the rate is 1: 8000. The largest bill is a 5000  SO’M note, US$1.25 so you end up with a lot of bills in the local currency.