A Quick Look At Kokand, Uzbekistan

Kokand is a decent-sized city in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. Some old Muslim landmarks still exist within the modern city.

The biggest attraction: the palace of Khudayar Khan. Incredible tile work, imposing entrance. Good for group tours. More on it later.

Typical Uzbekistan urban renewal, tearing down squat, nondescript buildings to put up a faux palace business. As a contrast, reaching back to the past with a fantasy re-creation of a Silk Road-era stop.

Something in between, a modern administrative building, designed to look traditional.

Let's go to school for a little English lesson. Learning one's "-arts," ending with something cute. In another classroom, a big mural to the big future.

More future, construction on a Mosque and surrounding complex. 

The Amir Timur Museum In Tashkent

Amir Timur was Uzbekistan's greatest conquerer and leader, ruling Central Asia from about 1370 until his death in 1405. Since its independence from Russia in 1991, Uzbekistan has promoted Amir Timur - Tamerlane - as a sort of most famous historical figure-hero of the country. Statues and other tributes abound.

In Tashkent, there's a museum dedicated to the life of Amir Timur. Cool architecture.

Inside, a meandering layout of artifacts, reproductions, miniature versions of significant buildings from his time of rule. Plenty of paintings, many of other famous folks with whom Timor was hanging. Here's the noted astronomer, Mirzo Ulugbek.

This highlight of the museum is its expansive, richly-decorated atrium.

There's a corridor of fancy swinging sultans. Here's Ali Mirzo. On another wall, a painting looking a bit like a gift from Bob Ross. With appropriate yurts.

A big painting, depicting a busy, bustling bazaar. Change the wardrobe a little, add a zillion smartphones and the work would look current.

Driving To The Fergana Valley

Sarah recently took a work trip to the Fergana Valley, an area of Uzbekistan southeast of Tashkent by about three hours. The valley is the economic engine of the country both for agriculture, mostly cotton, and industry, including cranking out Chevrolets.

The drive to Fergana takes you past city sprawl, fields, through the mountains and then into the valley and its many cities. Lots to see on the way. 

The view from a restaurant in the mountain pass.

Spewing power plant. In a men's room, a place to wash one's feet before prayer.

Mountaintop advertising. No billboards - giant Hollywood Sign-like letters are the norm.

New apartment buildings, sharing a downspout. Stuff for sale at a rest stop - and plenty of it.

At a shopping stall complex, an empty space made into a prayer room.

Power poles, brown fields, haze and mountains. A company's surreal property line wall.

Mosque, under construction.

Taking A Closer Look At Tashkent

What's up, Tashkent? What little details are there for the taking?

The landmark Hotel Uzbekistan with a little police kiosk in the foreground. Quiet.

Strict city landscaping along the big avenues. Trees painted white to deter pests. A bag of potatoes left behind.

A little neighborhood gardening in front of an apartment house. The photo mural for inspiration, disquise, dreaming?

A large tree, trapped and hacked. Fountain, at rest. 

The uniform store.