Day 19 : 10th June,2012 – Bukhara, Uzbekistan

I woke up around six and made myself my morning cup of tea. I decided to go for a walk and found Aziz sleeping on a sofa in the reception. Outside, it was pleasant and cool. A few shopkeepers were opening their shops for the early tourists. I met many old and young people, and I greeted them with salaams. Collecting warmth from the smiles I got in return, I found many bed and breakfast hotels. While these hotels served American, there were spice shops selling Iranian saffron, jeera and some other spices I did not recognize. I got back to the hotel at around 7.30 a.m.. I tried to find taxi drivers going to Turkmenistan or to the border myself as Aziz was still sleeping. The taxi drivers were reluctant so I decided to wait for Orom and then finalize my plan. I spent the whole day working on the computer but with breaks as the lights went out frequently. 

At 5.30, I went out to the lobby area. There was a local music programme going on which was later joined by some Uzbek dancing girls. The Bazaar of souvenirs was operating in full swing. I couldn’t go to the famous tourist spot, the Ark, since it was under repair. So I took a few pictures in the Bazaar and went to the same place to eat where I had eaten yesterday.  

Iran spices in Bukhara Market

Later I met Orom, at around 9.30 p.m... He took me to a restaurant cum bar cum discotheque and we were joined by his two friends. His friends were to work in his Hotel next week, for a function that was being organized. Both men were equally talented. Were one was a very good bartender, the other was a hookah making expert. They showed their skills, serving us with really good vodka mixes and a hookah. A large variety of Uzbek food and Shashlik was also served. I did not eat much but we enjoyed very well. We left at around the closing time and I returned to the hotel. 

During the outing, Orom and I had decided to have breakfast together the next morning, after which I would leave for the border. Tired of the day’s activities and excited for the next day, I went off to sleep.

Border - Bukhara to Turkmenistan