LITTLE VISITED BUT packed with sights and sounds, this city was already 1700 years old when the Mongols destroyed its citadel in the 13 century. The atmposherice mosques and market place are complimented by a hotel with a fun park on its grounds!
Not only did our hotel have a traditional Tajik wedding band performing, but also a full blown amusement park, including rides, sideshows and paddle swans.
Vladimir Lenin still hasn't been taken down in some cities in Tajikistan.
We lost ourselves for hours in the sprawling bazaar, the best we experienced in Tajikistan.
Classic Soviet art praising the workers and scientists is still common.
Istaravshan's bazaar is a sprawling place, while not attractive in itself, has the feel of a working silk road market.
Dried fruits and nuts have been traded here for many centuries. The city is 2500 years old.
Outside the bazaar, a string of blacksmith shops operate. In a quiet moment, these two are making tea.
We picked up a hand made knife for a song from this gent.
The hotel itself was largely unremarkable, but the fun park in its grounds was the centre of town.
A typical house, two stories, with a courtyard at the back.
Like most Asian markets, goods were sold in areas, and one long aisle was for kebabs, shish and other food.
A mosiac of the city's Kok Ghumbaz madrassa shows Soviet influence. Visiting the 16th century Timurid monument takes you on a tour of residentail streets. It failed to take a good picture of it though.
Central Asian honey. Fresh, pure, locally produced and delicious.
A blacksmith oustide his shop.
Tourists are treated as guests and more than welcome to wander the bazaars of central asia, but keep your eyes and ears open for people coming through.
A cut-throat razor at work.
A trip to the baker is still a daily event in most of Central Asia and the Middle East.