YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE
You realize you’re really old when
the Pope is younger than you.
Not too long ago, I embarked on a captivating journey through the heart of Uzbekistan, a part of the legendary Silk Road, which was a network of Asian trade routes popular from the 2nd to the mid-15th century.
The tour brought me to ancient cities where timeless traditions came alive as I explored grand squares, ornate mosques, and bustling bazaars, including crossing the golden sands of a desert. But that’s putting the cart before the horse. Let me start from when I arrived in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
This city, a cosmopolitan hub at the crossroads of cultures, is the largest in the country and is in the northeast, near the border of Kazakhstan. As I walked around the city, I marveled at the colorful pavilions of Chorsu Bazaar and passed by some architectural gems such as Independence Square and the Monument of Courage. But what got me really interested was the history attached to Amir Timur Square, the main attraction of the city.
Amir Timur was of Turkic origin, and his not being a Mongol prevented him from claiming to become a Khan, a title exclusively reserved for Genghis Khan’s descendants. Yet, he is highly respected in the country as a statesman because he led a movement to liberate the region from Mongol enslavement. He founded and became the first ruler of the Timurid Dynasty, and the square named after him has his statue on horseback.
The next day brought me to Khiva, a walled city, the main attraction of which is Ichan-Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the old part of the city and has more than 250 old houses and 50 monuments, among them the towering Kalta Minar, the impressive Kunya Ark Fortress, the ornate Djuma Mosque, and the beautiful Romanov’s Mansion. Every corner of this part of town whispers stories from centuries past.
The following day brought me to the seemingly endless golden sands of the Kyzylkum Desert, the second largest in Central Asia and 15th largest in the world. Its name means “red sand.” Because of the massive area it covers, the desert extends to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It is popularly known as the home of the Russian tortoise and the large lizard known as the desert monitor.
Bukhara is another ancient city in Uzbekistan and was a prominent stop on the Silk Road trade route. It was a medieval center for Islamic theology and culture, as proven by the existence of many madrasahs (colleges for Islamic instruction) and khanakahs (places for spiritual rituals).
Dominating the city’s skyline is the intricate Kalon Minaret and Mosque, the beautifully preserved Samanid Mausoleum, and the Ark Citadel. I also spent time at local workshops to witness centuries-old crafts like carpet weaving and puppet making.
My next stop was Samarkand, where the main attraction is the Registan, a plaza bordered by three ornate, majolica-covered madrasahs dating to the 15th and 17th centuries, and the towering tomb of Amir Timur.
The square is so massive, and the humongous structures around it are all so interesting that I couldn’t help spending time poring over the intricate details of its interiors, awed by its beauty and artistic appeal. The identifying trademark of this city’s rich craft and stunning architecture is its turquoise tile mosaics.
My friends and I ended the day with a hearty dinner at Mojiza, the city’s most popular fine dining restaurant, which also features the country’s traditional dances and music performed by students.
After going through a scenic mountain pass, my next stop was at Shahrisabz, the hometown of Amir Timur. The city’s name is Persian for “green city,” describing its emerald green parks and rivers. Its main attraction is the Dor-i-Tilavat, a place where the Quran is read and recited.
On the last day of my tour, I was back at Samarkand and spent time taking a closer look at the Ulugh Beg Observatory, home to a 15th-century astronomical marvel. This was built by a Timurid astronomer as a school of astronomy and was the last of its kind from the Islamic medieval period. Inside the structure is a huge sextant, a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between an astronomical object and the horizon. I was surprised to know that something like this already existed in the 15th century.
This trip was certainly an educational tour as I absorbed loads of information on the medieval period and the beauty and poetry of its culture and traditions. If you want to have your chance to stroll along the enchanting Silk Road, contact Intas Destination Management at info@intasdestinations.ph or through (632) 8723 5198.
For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com
