Back in Tashkent

Oct. 24, 2023- Back in Tashkent Another first. We flew Uzbekistan Airlines from Nukus to Tashkent. Air service to and from Nukus is only from Tashkent. That’s why we couldn’t fly from Khiva. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss my sand potty anyway. The plane was an airbus. They played the best safety video ever. I don’t know who thought to dress the actors in ancient costumes and put them on camels instead of airplane seats, but it was genius. I was laughing out loud. I almost lost it when they talked about water landings and showed a plane in a puddle in the desert. I was surprised to see the use of the word “oriental” in the airplane magazine. It’s not PC for us to say that in the US. We’ve convinced ourselves that “Asian” is preferred. As to preference, I would have liked a jetway instead of steps getting on and off the plane, but it was not to be. We both did well schlepping our carry-ons. We toured a bit before going to our hotel. The Memory Park was lovely, shady, and featured a large eternal flame and towering statue of a mourning mother. A million and a half Uzbeks were conscripted by and fought with Russia in WWII. Males from 12-75 were taken. Maybe 550 thousand returned. Close by was Independence Square and the first subway station we conquered. Crowds were thick, escalators were speedy, and steps were aplenty. The subway system was built by the Soviets in 1977, after the president of Uzbekistan made 25 trips to Moscow pleading for it. They are typical of those in Russia with mosaics and dramatic columns. We navigated three stations with Yura keeping tabs while urging us to hurry on and off. He even gave instructions in case we couldn’t get off in time. We were to ride to the next stop, get off, and he’d find us. His concern was unfounded. Individually, the New York group of 5 on our trip are nice enough. Together, not so much. It is typical and, I think rude, that they huddle together planning where to go for a meal without asking if anyone else in the group would like to join them. I’ve never seen this happen on an OAT trip before even with travelers who knew each other. I won’t miss them when they go back to the States tomorrow. The remaining five of us are compatible if quirky. David is busy sorting and counting money. We still have US and Uzbek. Yura said there’s nothing to buy in Kazakhstan and all meals are included. They do take cards should we make a purchase. More Yura information: His factory makes flour and pasta. He owns four apartments besides his home. He wanted to be assured that his children would have places to live after marriage if they didn’t want to live with family. At dinner we farewelled those flying home tomorrow. We walked back to the hotel and settled into our rooms looking forward to a later wake up. Our flight leaves at 2 something AM for Kazakhstan. Here’s to new border crossings. Toby