Wandering The Fergana Valley

Road trips are fun. Especially if there are cool things to see. Which is the point of road trips.

Holy Brutalist, Socialist Monument! Right outside the city of Fergana (which, duh, is in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan) sits this impressive salute to the Great Patriotic War, otherwise known as World War II. Soviet built, full of their iconic themes of communism and military might.

Soldiers in sync under the former USSR flag. The identifying marks of the flag have been chipped away. Progress. 1941, a big year! A beleaguered yet proud citizenry gathered together. Big anvil for strength.

Moving on to the city of Kokand, visiting the famous Juma mosque and madrasa complex. Central minaret.

The highlight is the extensive portico with hand-carved, wood columns, some original ones on display. Nice capitals. Looking up, wood ceilings of the portico full of colorful designs.

You Are Now Entering An Important City. Back to Fergana, the big gate over the highway lets you know something special is ahead.

Lusting After The Love Apartment

Say you need to rent a place in Fergana. Maybe some real estate woman shows you an apartment. You need something furnished, not a problem. It's all prepped.

The living room. Wait, what's with the snacks? Who fled? Well... it was the previous "renters." Let's just say they only needed the place for hours, not days, weeks, months, a year. At least not continuously.

It seems you've been shown a "love" apartment, available for, well, if you have to ask... You can look, better not touch.

The basic kitchen. Does it matter? A bedroom. The art, aggressively setting the mood. Do you need a manual?

Another bedroom, for variety. With big bouquet.

Toilet with moody walls and the monotone bath with soap bar highlight.

The light fixtures seemed to be fixated on only having one bulb in the arrangement. Economy or mood setter? Both!