Registon Square, Samarkand

The ribbed domes were Persian influenced.

The incredible art of the ceiling.

A photo of the complex before the reconstruction.

The sanctity of he inner courtyard.

An imagined lesson in the madrasas.

What a place to sit and absorb.

John finally graduates.

The Mausoleum of Amir Timur, a major conquerer of central Asia.

and the interior.

A traditional meal starting with little salads...

cooking the PLOV

The presentation... it's all boiled.

Tuesday, April 29th.

Today, we began our day with a leisurely visit to Registan Square, a captivating oasis of tranquility amidst the bustling city of Samarkand. This iconic square, often likened to the Wonders of the World, is a testament to the city's architectural grandeur. Three majestic madrassas adorn Registan Square, each a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. To the west stands the Ulug Bek Madrassah, built between 1417 and 1420, a testament to the intellectual pursuits of its namesake. To the east, the Tilya-Kori Madrassah, constructed between 1646 and 1660, dazzles with its intricate golden mosaics and ornate decorations. Between these two architectural marvels lies the Sher-Dor Madrassah, built between 1619 and 1636, renowned for its majestic lions depicted on its facade. As we explore these magnificent madrassas, we are immersed in a world of artistry and craftsmanship. The once-grand educational

institutions now serve as vibrant cultural centers, showcasing a variety of arts and crafts demonstrations. We admired the intricate details of the architecture, marvelled at the old photographs that capture the monuments before their Soviet reconstruction, and explored through the diverse collection of handicrafts on display. Then we went to a silk paper making business. The Chinese used silk from silkworms and guarded the secret of the method carefully. The people in central Asia used the fibres of the Mullberry tree. The strands were pulled apart, soaked in water and pounded into a pulp and then dried in thin layers which gave them their first writing paper. We were dropped off in an area of the city where there were a number of restaurant where we could eat lunch. John and I bought a few things from a little grocery store and walked around the area while eating and watching like in Samarkand. After lunch we visited the Mausoleum of Amir Timur(whose western name is Tamerlane), a revered figure in Central Asian history. This imposing structure, adorned with exquisite tilework and adorned with the legendary "Black Stone of Timur," is a place of pilgrimage and a symbol of the city's historical significance. The complex boasts a collection of ornate mausoleums, each with its own unique architectural style and historical significance. Then we went back to the hotel for a couple of hours. John and I caught up with emails and I blogged some, before we went outside for a ‘swim’ in the hotel pool. Then we were gathered up and taken for dinner at a unique restaurant that seemed more like the inner courtyard of someone’s house. There we were shown the way that they make the national traditional meal Plov. It is basically a boiled stew of carrots, potatoes, meat and rice with a few spices. First we were served some salads and bread and then the plov. When we left there we were dropped off at Registon Square to see the madrassas lit up and then there was supposed to be a laser show that never materialized, so we went back to our room for the night. (nevertheless it was still a spectacular sight).