Wally World

August 1, 2009, Samarkand

 

When I first started thnking about my Silk Road trip three years ago, the Wally World for the trip was Samarkand. (Of course since then, visiting Steve, Eva, and Mia, and of course the eclipse also became Wally Worlds for this particular trip.)

 

Well, I'm here. And unlike the Griswold's experience, my Wally World was open. I walked around the Registan this afternoon, and it is spectacular. I don't often say that about much.....but this place is really impressive.

 

I remember in Herat, Afghanistan, some thirty five years ago, thinking that there were only four colors in the whole country--the deep blue of the night sky, the cold bright blue of the daytime sky, the deepest of greens of the gardens of Herat, and, of course--the tan/brown of the ubiquitous dirt of the desert. These colors were reflected in the mosques, tombs, and fortresses that dotted the country. In Samarkand, one sees this happening again in the tiles and brickwork. In Afghanistan nearly everything was in ruins, though. Here the monuments are in great repair. As a matter of fact, parts of them are so spiffy it is hard to believe they are 600 years old!

 

I'm staying in a hotel that reminds me of my first trip across Asia. For the first time, I have fellow travellers. I have been able to swap ideas and such. (Two guys are cycling from Korea to Portugal!)

 

I am pretty healthy, and feel perfectly safe (although I have to be a better bargainer here than in Tajikistan!). I was the last one through the border this afternoon before it closed for the day--which means I would have lost another day!!!!

 

At any rate, I figure by now the only people reading this blog is probably Judy, and maybe Gramma Sue! Just remember that these things are typed up as I get time on the little portable, but they cannot be uploaded except now and then when I find an internet cafe. (Since my last two hotels did not have water, you could not expect them to have wireless......). At any rate, they may not upload in the expected order--so be prepared to rearrange them in your brain.