For all my snarking about the airport, let me say that I would gladly do it all again. Uzbekistan is full of surprises, paradoxes, complexities, absurdities, and delights.
Tashkent has many shady tree-lined streets and parks. And canals! Who knew? The city is immaculately clean and the wide Soviet era boulevards are seldom busy. In the mid 70s construction of a subway system was begun that now features three different lines and two dozen or so stations that are artfully decorated with Uzbek and Soviet themes. (No pictures allowed, however.) Our hotel is the 17 story Soviet-era Hotel Uzbekistan, once the 1970s posh spot that could now use a face lift. It's probably the largest hotel in town catering to tourists... there are quite a few French and German groups.
Both Tuesday and Wednesday in Taskent were searingly hot (97 and 105) and, yes, it IS a dry heat but it's still draining. But this is not going to deter us from our scheduled activities so after breakfast on Tuesday morning our group of 13 boards the mini bus to begin exploring Taskent.
Tashkent has many shady tree-lined streets and parks. And canals! Who knew? The city is immaculately clean and the wide Soviet era boulevards are seldom busy. In the mid 70s construction of a subway system was begun that now features three different lines and two dozen or so stations that are artfully decorated with Uzbek and Soviet themes. (No pictures allowed, however.) Our hotel is the 17 story Soviet-era Hotel Uzbekistan, once the 1970s posh spot that could now use a face lift. It's probably the largest hotel in town catering to tourists... there are quite a few French and German groups.
Details to follow. Once again I am hampered by hamster-powered Internet speeds as well as hobbled by the incredibly full schedule of non stop touring. Add in what Ulan termed "stomach revolution" and the result is that blogging gets short shrift. The bottom line though is that I am finding Uzbekistan even more fascinating and engaging than I even dreamed.
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