After a 12 hour sleep (!) we ventured down to Independence Square. Today, as we were trying to decipher the Cyrillic metro names at the station (our map had Latin script) some students befriended us and helped. They were both studying international studies and the smartest students I’ve ever seen. First year undergrads and wearing three piece suits. In fact all the students we’ve saw were super smart. It’s like office wear for lectures. One of the students kindly accompanied us right down to Independence Square before leaving us.
Found the eternal flame in the remembrance memorial.
After lunch we explored a small mosque complex, Shayhantaur Memorial complex tucked behind a high street.
As I’ve seen at other mosques this had a rack of scarves outside, presumably for tourists.
Prayer time.
Loved the lights which were in keeping with the Ottoman Empire star and cresent.
We noticed that Tashkent has an abundance of white cars. In fact not only white, but white Chevrolets. About 80% of the cars on the road seem to fall in this category.
Other makes we saw were Daewoo and the odd Lada. I was expecting to see many more of these.
As we walked down to the metro we waited at a road crossing next to a man. A school girl no older than 7 walked up. The man looked at her, offered her his hand and they walked hand in hand across the road. Once over they dropped hands and went their separate ways. What a lovely culture where children simply trust a stranger to cross the road with them. I wonder when most societies lost that trust.
Whenever we were on the metro I was never allowed to stand. There was always a teenager jumping up as I got on the train and insistent I take their seat. I just go with the flow but it’s quite funny watching them all jump up for JC too. He’s certainly not accustomed to being treated as an elder.
We strolled around a local park which had an air of faded glamour about it. It was full of young couples enjoying time together away from the watchful gaze (glare?) of their parents.
Not quite sure what the red fruit was.
Tashkent has a wide variety of trees with oak, horse chestnut, spruce, willow and sycamore all abundant.
Lots of birds chirping around but I rarely saw a dog or cat. I suspect that’ll change when we leave the capital. I loved these plants!
We discovered a lovely restaurant for supper. Unlike last night, we’d planned this one and knew it was veggie friendly. It also had an English menu so we were quids in. Veggie shaslik. Rice. Wine. JC had beef and noodles and the most awesome raspberry tea. All for under 12 USD between us.
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