Bukhara the Noble

The sun was setting as we walked around the city for the first time.




The Poi Kalon Ensemble

Fabric Stalls, Sunday Bazaar, Urgut

The Sunday Bazaar, Urgut

We took another day trip, this time to the bustling silk bazaar in the small town of Urgut. The bazaar is enormous and the stalls sell everything from antique embroidery to melons. If you find yourself hungry just take a seat with the locals for a freshly baked Samsa (baked dough with meat filling) or a portion of Plov (fatty rice stew).

What They Wore... Uzbek Elders

Shakhrisabz, A Day Trip

We chose the hottest day of the summer to take a non air-conditioned two hour shared taxi to Shakhrisabz, Timur's birthplace. After touring the sights for a while, we entered the bazaar only to encounter more colorful Uzbeks.

Street Life in Samarkand

Passing through the streets, we can't stop photographing the brightly colored people.

Waiting for a marshutka.

The gardeners take a lunch break.

Green umbrellas.

Blue Samarkand

We continued our sightseeing around Samarkand and visited the many medressas and mausoleums.

The Sher Dor Medressa, Registan.




Wall pattern from the Guri Amir Mausoleum, tomb of Emir Timur.

What They Wore... The Tourists, Samarkand

The Uzbeks: contemporary twist on traditional styles.



The New York Jews: the usual



The Russians: colorful colonial

Uni-brow Ladies, Samarkand

Strolling around the bazaar, we passed a couple of female vendors painting their eyebrows during the morning shift. As we walked by, the uni-brow ladies beckoned to us and offered to enhance Rena's eyebrows. It is considered beautiful for Uzbek woman to have thick black uni-brows and those who are not blessed with natural "beauty" paint it on!

Cheese Gals, Siob Bazaar, Samarkand

We chatted with them for a while, tasting cheese and taking photos. Rena's headscarf was the topic of much debate. They wanted to know where it was from.

More Market, Samarkand

The Wonders of Samarkand

Bibi-Khanym Mosque



Shah-i-Zinda: a compound filled with tombs and mausoleums.

What They Wore... Women On the Go, Samarkand

I think I have that scarf!

Taking a break.

Red dresses with shoulder pads.

What They Wore... Women At Work, Samarkand

A Morning at the Bazaar III, Tashkent

Trying on a new headcover.

Women hanging out.