Uzbekistan: Elsewhere in Tashkent

We spent some extra time in Tashkent, because we wanted to catch the Persian New Year, Nowruz, in Tashkent, known as Spring Equinox to the rest of the world.

We went by the Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, when they were having Sunday services, very active (1st and 2nd below). We visited the Museum of Applied Arts (3rd and 4th below) - the 19th century building that houses the museum was more interesting than the exhibits. John got his hair cut.











The Nowruz celebration took us to Milliy Bog (National Park) which is really a large city park, with an open entry amusement park, Magic City (1st below), at the one end. It was a beautiful spring day. The park drew a good crowd. The activities included "stick-pulling" wrestling, dancing, a highwire troupe, and a "feats of strength" demonstration. Not to mention the making of traditional sumalak, a sweet paste made entirely from germinated wheat and is cooked over a fire in a large pot.