Seeing The Sites In Turkistan

There are other ancient sites to see in Turkistan, Kazakhstan beyond the main, amazing site, the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Time to take a little wander.

The delicate, simple, Juma mosque. A traditional design of whitewashed walls and a portico of wood carved columns.

Kahn's mosque. Small courtyard, nicely restored plaster interior.

Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begum. Octagonal, domed, strong.

Inside the Begum mausoleum, a group of gravestones. Sometimes all that is left are foundations. The Khan Ordasy complex.

Ancient meets modern meets fake ancient. The old Silk Road era fortress walls with a modern sculpture in front of it. The sculpture imitates a typical old caravan of traders and camels.

Christmas Trees In Tashkent

It's the season and the fuzzy cones are out and about in Tashkent. Sort of. Celebrating Christmas in a post-Soviet, Muslim country is a muted affair and the green tree is more associated with a New Year's blowout. Capitalism creep means the tree is back for Christmas or, might as well let it preen for both holidays, the whole season.

Ho hum. Just stake a tree, zero decoration, benign neglect. "Hello? It's the holiday season? I hadn't noticed."

Putting the little in a little cheer with a tiny fake tree at a street vendor spread. Upcycling? A restaurant knows how to whet customers' thirst with its bottle tree. Needs a little filling in at the bottom. Drink up!

Another undecorated tree, this time with Santa sporting clown shoes and mittens, pushing coca-cola.

Government, corporate minimum requirement decorating. "We have zero budget this year, just do something!"

The metro stations get trees. And dwarf Santas, a lot creepy.