Hotel Samarkand Plaza

... which used to be student cells were open and turned into shops in this Madrassah but we were early so perhaps they just hadn’t opened yet and I never went back into this Madrassah. This was a two story Madrassah and most of the second story has been reconstructed. I was thinking several times that this was just like Poland being reconstructed after the war except these ruins were from the 15th century. But they ...

... in his calculations for timing of a year to less than a minute from what is considered good mathematics of a year today. Quite impressive for a man of those times. But he lived in troubled times and got himself into hot water with the religious leaders of those days as he believed such scandalous things as girls had a right to be educated as well. This and other beliefs eventually got him killed but not before he ...

... it IS a different region!!! Local police will come and investigate, I will be examined by experts. All the statements will be taken again. I will sign my life away again. You would think I had been shot!!! I say I had an accident - vaguely. This is not totally altruistic. I really don't want to spend perhaps months waiting for a prosecutor and judge to decide on a trial. I am again discharged.<br> We return to Rustam's ...

... as good as honey we'd had in Iran. The lady in charge was a sweetheart and we were made to feel right at home.<br><br>After jettisoning our bags we made our way straight to the Registan, arguably the single most impressive sight in Samarkand. The Registan used to be the city's commercial centre, and is home to three of the worlds oldest preserved medressas. These stand on three sides of what used to be the old market square &#8211; Ulugbek Medressa was built in 1420 (taking ...

... it, the avenue of mausoleums was hugely impressive, especially that of 'The Living God'. While in classic tourist mode with the camera swung around my neck, I befriended a youngish Uzbek guy called Ozodbek. He didn't speak much English, I didn't speak any Russian/Uzbek but we communicated as best we could and exchanged emails at the gate &#8211; unfortunately I got the impression he was making his up based on mine, it didn't make a great deal of sense.<br><br>From there ...

... madly, and soon Booth sides of the road were packed with...well...lunatics. Rick and I were trying to hold our own in the middle of this - but what we didn't realise was that 20 Kms down the road an exact replica of this situation was happening in reverse, and was heading straight towards us! Well, you can imagine the mayhem when these two 'trains' met head on - and just to add spice to the situation there was a landslide at this point ...

... in the Koran they say about women wearing veils?<br> <br><br>Then we entered Registan Square. After 9 countries and huge Islamic structures I just did not think I could be impressed ever again. After all we had seen the best the world has to offer in the Middle East and Central Asia. Was I ever wrong. Three Mosques and Madrassas surround the square and they are just amazing. Unfortunately the photos just do not do the square justice. You just have to come here ...

... for us to appreciate the reconstruction process. At least these buildings will now be around for many more years for people to appreciate and enjoy. <br><br>Just behind the Bibi-Khanym was the Siob bazaar. It was alive with various markets selling great quality fresh vegetables, dried fruit and nuts, traditional sweets, honey, dairy products and wonderful freshly baked bread. We spent quite some time wandering around these markets. I bought some fresh nougat which was to test my ...

... in Uzbekistan for us to be pretty ordinary. It was heavy and oily, with a lot of mutton, oily soups, processed meats and cheeses. On the other hand the fruit was lovely and included fresh strawberries, mulberries and cherries. And the local baked Emir&#8217;s bread was out of this world. <br><br>Breakfast, however was a real challenge. Plates of cold pancakes, sweet stale bread, dried out splitting slices of processed cheese, sliced cucumber, chunks of ...

... local ronec a l esquena del Magasin Dustlick, i el nostre aksakal un txitxarel lo llargarut i esprimatxat de bigoti negre i camisa barata dins els pantalons, que rebaixa sensiblement la nostra percepcio del tema. Ens fem unes fotos amb el seu Lada blau mecanic, i amb el seu Lada blau mechanic les anem a imprimir. Una hora despres llueixen, recolzades a dues ampolles buides de Coca cola, com trofeus de legitimitat, sobre la ...