Wedding and a Funeral at Khiva (Sunday 14th August–start of Week 8)

What a city – although a popular tourist trap it was a real living museum.  The city is a world away from Ashgabat in Turkmenistan although we are very close to the border here and can see the desert of Turkmenistan from the roofs. 

Big market in the morning which Norman, Lyn and I explored. Lots of stalls and so much to see.  Saw a funeral while walking around – heard all sorts of wailing from a building where all the women were expressing their loss, then the covered coffin appeared and was placed on a large mat.  We were all ushered out of the way and we didn’t intrude any further. 

 

Norman then went to the barbers for a No 3 haircut and came out with a slightly shorter version.  
Lunch in a local outdoor restaurant – seemed strange to be eating  a salad out of doors, drinking cold tea and in baking heat on a Sunday.

 
Saw the celebrations of a local wedding before buying a combination museum ticket and explored the museums – including climbing a tower for some panoramic views over the city.  This is the third place where I have photographed weddings they just seem to follow me around. 

Had picture taken with a fellow tourist - her friends & family wanted her to be pictured with a foreigner (although she doesn't look too happy). 

















I managed to take about 80 pictures alone in Khiva – it is so photogenic – every where you turn you can take another shot.  (apologies if the Uzbekistan library is a little big and we have got Tashkent and Samarkand to come). 




Tomorrow we move on to Bakara so it will be another long drive day.