Join me on my trips

Another birthday I have missed. Getting hotter here and we did four sites but I skipped two.  Too many buildings and at some too many people.  As we travel westward into the desert it will get hotter and it is only April.  Some complaints from other guests but anything I dont enjoy or am bored at is not Steppes fault. The only thing I'd mention is that the preponderance of steep steps with no rails or ramps does mean guests should be made aware. Thank goodness I have a stick with me. Two nights at Bibi Khanym. A mauseleum. Our guide and the wheelchair two people needed not me. Nor did I go on the zipwire. Tower built 1916 but difficult to tell what is old and what new as all this greyish mud colour. Another mosque which was closed. I like the shadow. You can buy any knofe you like. Or scissors. A nice drain cover. Out to dinner.

The spelling can differ. Leaving Samarkand station. the very smart guard. 2 hours layer we reached Bukhara. I did not take part. Plenty of these about. Look at these ridiculously high steps. Falcon by son and hoopoo by uncle. Our hotel. Breakfast on the terrace. but all these steps.

The endless flights of steps at times defeat me.  Our comfy hotel and across the road.  Houses are deceptive as the long walls on the roads with one heavy wooden door hide courtyards with rooms going off. 7th C wall paintings and pottery fron thd bronze in this archaeological museum. People were making similar pots and tools in Africa,  Europe and South America yet had no communication, or did they? A necropolis I didn't visit. Then after another good lunch of lots of vegetetables one of our group, Liz and I went to find a mulberry paper maker but in fact found a tourist attraction though bought 2 sheets for $12. Bit of a rip off. The taxi cost us another$4. Now having hot honey and ginger tea. Having favourite bortsch and risotto with an electric violinist accompanied by boom box .

Today we see archaeological sites, go through passport control and then Samarkand. Some very interesting people on the tour with first class guides but what the tours dont give is time to wander the streets. Its all much more tiring keeping to some elses schedule also all the talk when I am used to the quiet. Nevertheless the conversations are informative and often quite intellectual. First stop the amazing archaeological site of Sarazan which dates back 4000 years and is now a world heritage site. A weight stone thpusands of years old. On going excavataions Across the border to Samarkand in a bit of rain and 9degrees. Lunch in the art cafe. A local baby wrapped up warm. The monument is Lenin so there is still a Russian connection which is surprising. Famous Ragistan Square. ...