Safe in Samarkand

What a stark change. Uzbekistan is worlds away from Turkmenistan. Although the country has experienced similar problems with their government, the powers that be allow things be somewhat progressive here i.e. working Internet, more cities and more free enterprise.

This is my first "weekend" of our trip. We are enjoying two days in this Silk Road mecca. Samarkand is where Silk Road goods could change hands and travel southward to India or continue westward. Samarkand is also known as the mid point of the Silk Road. This would be true for our trip if we ended at the true terminus of the Silk Road--Xi'an. However, we are continuing onwards to Beijing.

The buildings are spectacular; even though they are reconstructions...most of this city was leveled by the Russians during the early 20th century. History is everywhere. This morning we went to a Bazaar that has been unchanged for centuries. Pictured is the Registan, the center of the city for many centuries. The Registan was also the place where many public executions took place. Sand was thrown on the ground to soak up all of the blood that was spilled here. In Tajik, Registan translates to Sandy Place.

Faces are looking more and more Asian. We will be in Kashgar on the 26th of September and I am very excited to be back in the Middle Kingdom. If any of you in Beijing would like to meet up with our tour somewhere along the way in China, drop me a line. I'm sure you would be welcome to spend a few days with us.

The ride from Bukhara to Samarkand was pretty uneventful. I rode sweep and kept loosing riders. Uzbekistan is much more populated than Turkmenistan and many people ride bicycles, which makes it very difficult for me to spot riders who have taken a break at a cafe along the way. Our biggest logistical challenge just ahead, we have three border crossings in three days. Out of Uzbekistan, into Tajikistan, back into Uzbekistan and then into Kyrgyzstan. What a headache. Five days later we will cross into China with no more border crossings until Egypt!

The Uzbeks are very friendly, with the exception of one little kid who stole a camel bak out of the truck. We managed to find him and so did the police. I don't think he will be looting from any more foreigners.

Thats about all from my end. I hope all is well. I am working on getting some pictures up, none of the computers here have USB ports. Talk again soon!