Tashkent, Uzbekistan 10.10.131

Today we flew to Tashkent.  It was a nice flight and on arrival the city surprised us.  It is a modern city of 3 million people with lots of cars, beautiful white marble public buildings (built after the Russians left in 1991.  The Russian influence was obvious in many other buildings.  No high rise here.  There are lots of trees along the boulevards, wide streets, and beautifully kept parks everywhere.  Unfortunately we really didn't get enough time here to see enough of the city.  Our hotel is an old Russian one and the rooms are enormous.  The largest hotel room I have ever been in.  Huge bathroom.  After a lovely lunch in a local restaurant we went to the museum of Applied Art to see arts and crafts throughout the ages.  Beautiful things in a lovely old building.  Then to the Mosque (rebuilt after an earthquake some years ago) and to a Madrassa, also rebuilt.  We were privileged to see Osman's Koran an essential part of Muslim historical and cultural heritage.  This Koran, as I recall?, is one of only two in the world, is very ancient and is written in an enormous book on leather pages.  It is preserved under glass so no photos, of course.  Later we had a quick walk through the Old Market, no time to browse. The market here was fairly ordinary compared to those we have seen elsewhere.  Our guide here in Uzbekistan, Bebe, is one for "don't tarry" forced marches.   Dinner tonight was in the hotel restaurant and was very good.  I had French onion soup and Bill had a croquet monsieur.  

Tashkent Airport

 

Entrance to Mosque

 

 

Madrassa

 

View from our hotel window