Walking around Bukhara (бухара pronounced Buhara), I stumble upon the Photo Studio of Shavkat Boltaev a photographer with some amazing works. I chat with the man for a couple of hours and leave inspired to take more photos. If you come to Bukhara, make sure you pop by his gallery. From the Nasruddin Navruz guesthouse walk towards the pool at Lyabi Haus, turn left and keep walking until you see a sign saying free photo exhibition.
Also, if you get a chance, come into Anzor Salidjanov’s gallery, between Nasruddin Navruz guesthouse and Lyabi Haus.
Bukhara sunset.
Taking a break after walking around, I sit down to chat with Tahir, a local hat maker who tells me his son speaks great English and will meet with us the following day to show us around.
Tahir’s son Ahad is a former tour guide and exceptional story teller, he spends the following day walking around the sights with us telling us stories about Timur, Islam and the history of Uzbekistan.
The Emir’s summer residence.
One night as the girls and I are getting dinner, a group of middle aged gentlemen sitting next to our table offer us a round (or three) of vodka and two of the guys decide they’ve fallen in love with Alice and Georgie. Baha, a forty something slightly balding Uzbek spends the night calling Alice his honey, mermaid, sunshine, princess and what not. He says that he already has three wives but she will make a great fourth one. He has all of the creature comforts a girl could want, a pool, big screen TV and 32 channels (watch out ladies). He invites us to stay with him for the night, or a month, I will live as a king and one of his wives will cook and look after me, only Alice has to marry him.
Rahat, the Uzbek with gold caps replacing most of his teeth decides he will marry Georgie. His entire selling point is that he doesn’t have a wife yet. Wow ladies, don’t all rush him at once.
Another night, while searching for wireless internet, I come across the Karavan cafe, where, contrary to the sign the internet is not working. I’m offered beers by one of the customers sitting waiting for his mates. As they show up, I start showing photos of my journey. One of the guys is so impressed he tells me he will pay for my prostitute for the night.
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