Just a perfect day

Like sand in an hourglass.

24 hours to enjoy Samarkand. The marvellous madrasahs of the Registan (meaning 'sandy place' in Tajik), an invitation to a tea house where a rice table was being prepared (big bellies, eating with the hands, blood-shot eyes because of the drink, loud laughter; it reminded me of university), fantastic old trees and beautiful people. And everything under a clear blue sky.

Pictures: the Tric-Trac player (I like the David Lynch like expression on his face), games, feasting and a young easy rider.

Pictures: mirror lines, one-third of the Registan, young and old, the bazaar (and its people).

Pictures: the Registan at night. For 2 euro's a guard let me climb one of the minarets ("my secret business"). He opened the door, handed me a torch and left me to it.




And another picture of Samarkand after dusk.