Miramsmeanderings: Bukhara 14.10.13

Bukhara is an ancient city boasting 2,500 years of history. It has been a centre of world learning, succumbed to Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, and after the Silk Road waned was a capital for despotic Bukhara emirs. Today a 9am start for a walking tour of all the sights around Bukhara. Lots of palaces, Madrassas, Mosques, etc. etc. all liberally clothed in shades of blue tiles with intricate designs. Such large buildings and spacious courtyards. So much history and so much to take in. Quite a hot day for walking. Lunch was in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the ancient wall, minarets etc.. There seems to be only one denomination here in their currency and to pay for anything in cash requires huge bundles of money. Bebe carries a large shoulder bag stuffed full of bundles of 1,000 Som. Each note worth about 45 cents, I think. To pay for lunch required Bebe to fork out a huge bundle. Bukhara was lovely but the locals seem to live in rather modest accommodation. Lots of tourist trap shops. I bought myself a lovely silk scarf for $15.00. So many lovely things. We went to a carpet shop "Scherezade" to see a demonstration on the making of and different grades of carpet etc. Later in the day Bebe took Bill and me for a quick march through the back streets (very interesting to get out of the tourist areas) to return to this shop and another one looking for a carpet for our family room. Eventually chose one in a traditional Bukhara Camel's foot design mostly in rich reds. Goat's wool, 160 knots to the inch. $3,600, and $200 for postage. Told it would arrive in Australia in 25 days. 24 days later there it was! And we love it. Bill unwell again tonight.

City Wall, Bukhara