Outdoor markets are always great fun and who could resist a Uzbek market? After Turkish markets the choice of fresh produce was limited but it more than made up for that in terms of colour and general fascination. What great photo opportunities!
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| Bibi-Khanym Mosque: partially rebuilt in the 1970s after an earthquake in 1897 |
This market is right next door to the enormous Bibi-Khanym (Hanım) Mosque in Samarkand, a complex that must have been the ‘jewel’ of Timur’s empire in the early 14th Century. Bibi Hanım was Chinese, his favourite wife. She blotted her copybook however although it was hardly her fault when the architect fell madly in love with her. The story goes that he demanded a kiss from her which she reluctantly allowed, but it left a mark which Timur immediately noticed. As a result, he executed the architect and issued the order that from then on, all women should wear the veil so as not to tempt other men.
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| smartly dressed for market day |
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| grated salads to go! |
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| cheery sellers of traditional men’s hats |
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| the traditional bread or nan |
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| interesting place, interesting people |
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| beautiful hand-knitted shawls – I bought the pink one for $5 |
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| selling cheese |
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| this little boy was terrified of me! |
That shawl for $5…unbelievable it takes ages to knit. Maybe there is a business opportunity there 😉 I am getting more jealous by the day seeing all these fantastic colours. The word Samarkand alone sents chivvers down my spine.
Enjoy the rest of your trip xx
How very interesting…the local markets are always a great way to get a feel for a country or region. The smells and colors are always exciting.
What a find…$5 for that beautiful shawl…great keepsake, now every time you wear it you'll remember your day!
Enjoying seeing all your trip photos and hearing the stories…thanks so much for sharing with all of us.
Looks like a fantastic trip! I love the "pazar" pics. I am currently reading Samarkand.
when are you home??? amazing trip and super pics – love the beautiful girl dressed up for the shops!
Hi everyone! Thanks for all your lovely comments!Yes, those shawls were amazingly cheap. I thought you'd be interested, Knitsister! I have just washed that one as it had that faint sheepy smell – visions of it being knitted in a smoky kitchen somewhere! I got two more, thicker,very pretty, one for 9 and the other for 10 USD. It was really chilly that day so we all bought them! there was a roaring trade in furry hats too: fox, mink and astrakhan! Got a super fur one for Son Cem for 35 USD but now realize he probably can't wear it in London, can he? And wasn't that girl lovely..
BTW I'm back now ….