Touring Uzbekistan as a tourist

[BigV]

Thanks limey~!

I see lots of *non* representational art. And maybe that's stamped concrete? And I like the flagpole/gallows pole... ???? unusual.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I think that pole looks like a giant replica of the pennant poles they use on the steppes.

[limey]

BigV - it was thought for a long time that it was forbidden by Islam to represent animals and people but by the 17th century this view was deemed to be mistaken.
You are right about the concrete - they are modern paving stones. I love the fact that even these humble artefacts are decorated.
xoB - I am sure they are close relatives. The poles advertise the location of significant shrines and have been adopted here from shamanistic practices. There is often a religious symbol at the top, in Islam this is often a hand, and the horse tail is to remind the faithfully that the way to paradise is as narrow and difficult to traverse as a tightrope walk along a horse tail hair.
I saw a couple more of these poles, one of which was indoors but I forgot to photograph that one.

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[Gravdigr]

Thanks for sharing the pics, Limes.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by limey

BigV - it was thought for a long time that it was forbidden by Islam to represent animals and people but by the 17th century this view was deemed to be mistaken.
You are right about the concrete - they are modern paving stones. I love the fact that even these humble artefacts are decorated.
xoB - I am sure they are close relatives. The poles advertise the location of significant shrines and have been adopted here from shamanistic practices. There is often a religious symbol at the top, in Islam this is often a hand, and the horse tail is to remind the faithfully that the way to paradise is as narrow and difficult to traverse as a tightrope walk along a horse tail hair.
I saw a couple more of these poles, one of which was indoors but I forgot to photograph that one.

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Wow, I got to get a more current history book!

[limey]

pics of Samarkand to come if'n you can stand 'em .. .

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[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by limey

pics of Samarkand to come if'n you can stand 'em .. .

Yes please!

[limey]

Righty ho! Just need to get some sleep first. We are now back in London to catch up with family and friends. Just arrived after two flights (Tashkent - Istanbul - London) and 16 hours on the "road" starting 8pm (London time) yesterday evening. Current status - zonked. Cannot check in to hotel to crash out for another two hours ...

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[xoxoxoBruce]

We'll wait and talk among ourselves while you get recharged, your pictures are worth it.

[limey]

Where Bukhara is famous for baked brick-work, Samarkand is famous for tiles and gold-leaf. Blue tiles:

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[limey]

Samarkand, gold-leaf:

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[limey]

Amir Timur (Tamerlane)'s tomb (he of the horseback statue in Tashkent, remember?). This is where i saw one of those flagpole markers with the horsetail pennant indoors. The dark tombstone is Timur's - a/the biggest solid lump of jade. The other tomb with the little dome on is Timur's mentor. Timur wanted to be buried at his feet.

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[limey]

Ulug Bek and his observatory.

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[limey]

Afrosiyob Museum, at the site of one of the largest archaeological sites in the world and an ancient city that was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century.

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[limey]

Pottery styles. Not only does the decoration vary from region to region but so does the clay. When the large bowls are struck some ring like a bell, some clonk in a metallic way, some give out a dull thud as though made of wood, all depending on the properties of the clay they are made of.

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