Tashkent

23 August 2012

Another border was crossed today followed by a long drive across open country towards Tashkent.

There were no high mountains and passes to negotiate this time, only open desert and bands of irrigated areas. I am now staying in a guest house in the old part of the city in a traditional house built around a courtyard. It's very relaxed and there are other tourists here to talk English to and to exchange some tips.

Just down the road is the fantastic Chorsu bazaar. It's housed under a massive green dome and all the stalls form concentric circles under it. There are acres of dried fruit, nuts, cheese, fruits, rice and spices. It is here that you change dollars for the local currency! Black market rates are the way to get good words of Uzbek som.