26 October 2018 – the truly unexpected moments that hold onto me
I am nearing completion of my blog entries but a few last reflections on the people of Uzbekistan ….. who have left an imprint on me, forever. Ancient cultural traditions of Uzbekistan- respecting family & their elders, considerate behavior to others -continues to be present in their everyday world. We were definitely beneficiaries of these cultural norms in daily life, and I was grateful for this sense of safety in an unfamiliar place.
Random Encounters with Uzbek citizens, Names Unknown (no photos) –
Regardless of where we were – waiting at a bus stop, sitting on the Metro, walking a neighborhood looking for a specific designation – any place we might be talking softly in English, trying to just blend into the local scene and get to know our city better…… Uzbek citizens would offer assistance, would inquire about where we were from, would share their own stories. Open – Trusting – Helpful. Below are only a few examples of their kindness:
University Student – As Ray and I waited for a local bus, a student asked Ray a question in Uzbek. When Ray responded in English, this student lit up with delight. Turns out that he is a language major at a nearby university and speaks quite good English…. along with Mandarin, Russian, Uzbek. He radiated enjoyment of discovering we were Americans, asking how we came to Tashkent and wanting to talk with us until that next bus arrived, asking every kind of question!
Middle-aged man whose two sons live in Sacramento, California – We had been walking around the perimeter of the historic Chorsu Bazaar for what seemed like hours, looking for the National Artisan Center, and puzzling over the inconsistencies of the guidebook map versus Google Maps. An older Uzbek man came toward us along the sidewalk, in quite a hurry, until he heard our English conversation and stopped immediately and turned. He was so excited. Where were we from?? He and his two adult sons also live in America – Sacramento, California. He was back in Tashkent visting family but looking forward to returning to America soon. I was relieved to hear of his positive experiences & stories of the USA… such enthusiasm!
University Professor near the large Technical University – We had just returned from our first venture on the Metro into the city’s urban core, and were walking out of the underground entrance to find the Bus Stop. As we paused at the top of the entrance, a professorial gentleman asked politely if he could be of any assistance. Then inquired about what brought us to Tashkent. Do we Americans offer such willing assistance? I hope.
Elderly Woman sitting next to me on the Metro – She leaned in against me and began talking to me as if it was assumed that I would understand. When my body language indicated that I could not understand, she asked if I was Italian! When I said American, she smiled broadly and began to talk again… Russian? Uzbek? Once we had established that I was limited to English, we shared a smile and she laughed, happily… never indicating that I made her uncomfortable or that my being there was not okay. Are we Americans as friendly and open during busy weekday transportation? I hope.
Winding Streets of Bukhara, along the Silk Road (below) –
To get to any of the public areas of the UNESCO Old Town, we had winding ancient residential streets to walk through and enjoy. One day, this young girl said ‘Hello’ with much delight and gave me a high five. So I looked for her when we were walking this same street another day. She again said ‘Hello’ with sparkling eyes. I asked her (and her mother) if I could take her photo, and was given non-verbal permission, a head nod. You can see how she composed herself into quite the adorable pose. She lives in a town where increasingly foreign visitors are changing the economic and cultural dynamics in this early 21st century. To me, she represents the future – and I feel good about that. My thanks to her!
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Dom Bakery staff (below) –
I have previously shared photos from our numerous visits to this neighborhood bakery. Numerous staff were helpful with language and selections, and I thank them. But one young woman connected particuarly with me. We visited the bakery one day before departure, as I wanted her to know why we would not reappear, to say good-bye. I shared with her the blog postings specific to the bakery….. she seemed surprised and pleased. I gave her the blog address, to view other postings. She gave me her phone #, and asked that I keep in touch. Regardless – I will carry her kindness with me.
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WEDDING Invitation (below) –
Tradition has it that the bride gives out a boxed gift to esteemed invited guests to her wedding. Family and close Friends already know about it but a visiting Professor might not. This box is as lovely as the photos suggest… and it will return to the USA with us as another reminder of an Uzbek tradition of which Dr. Ray was a recipient.
Roads into the mountains of an ancient history (below) –
We were zipping along at normal brisk Uzbek speed when around a corner, we turned into another century. The Shepherd worked hard to gather his sheep into a faster moving organized unit but to not much avail. So we watched as a centuries-old tradition of a noisy rumbunctious large mass of sheep flowed down the hillside – in the middle of the road – proceeding at its own pace, to clear the road and allow vehicles to move freely on to their destinations. I loved it!
Only when we stand still – intentionally or involuntarily or unexpectedly – do we have time to absorb the present moment and to take it all in. My thanks to these sheep for giving me such a much-enjoyed, unexpected moment in the mountains of Uzbekistan, east of Tashkent.
ONE LAST POSTING – still to be published.