Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan. Day 23 May 22nd 2019
Fergana Market Day 23 22th May
New experiences and learning about lives different from our own, are what travel is all about. Sometimes surprising in all kinds of ways. Today a border crossing of the friendliest kind. The checks got done, the questions asked but in a respectful and friendly way.
The border crossing was from Kyrgystan into Uzbekistan and this was our experience:.
As we walked towards the border there were two lanes and instructions in Cyrillic’s. One red lane with a stick figure carrying a bag, the second green with a stick figure alone. We head down the Red lane as we have bags. Very quickly waving and gesticulating indicates wrong lane and with smiles and waves we are directed to the correct lane.
Next issue the line appeared to split into male and female leading into two entry doors. Young men in uniform guiding people through and warmly greeting comrades who appear. It seems we are the only “foreigners”. Chris was way back in the men’s queue while I was close to the front.
“Passeporte Passeporte” asks the Guard. “Oh Australia” he says with a smile. Murmurs of astonishment ripple down the line and from the Guard. “Kangaroo?” he questions. Eventually we all surge forward into a shed-like building where Chris catches me up. A quiet, smiling official follows process and stamps us out of Kyrgystan.
Out we go and again a walk through “no-mans land” to the Uzbekistan border patrol and again friendly but efficient service as they check our documents and welcome us warmly to Uzbekistan.
The final check before exiting into Uzbekistan was Customs. Again we had no Uzbek language and the officials had some English. With gestures we got by. Bags on counter all opened. We had been briefed to ensure we had Doctors notes for all medications – tick. And a list of money we were entering the country with – again tick. Quite a task for me as for some reason I had 11 currencies scattered throughout my pack – all recorded now.
The next learning of the day was a reminder of the benefit of a local Guide in a country where language is not one you understand. Our main desire in travelling is to learn and having a guide helps this aim hugely.
Here we are in a new and fascinating country – what pleasure to have a guide meet us and immediately give us an in-country briefing.
Facts like – – –
Current population is approximately 32million with 8 million living in Fergana our first stop.
Independence was gained in 1991. After this time both a Coat of Arms and National flag were designed;
The Coat of Arms – the symbols explained HERE
The Flag of Uzbekistan – the symbols explained HERE
The flag is a “horizontal blue, white and green stripes, separated by two narrow red stripes. A crescent and three rows of twelve stars are situated on the left side of the upper blue stripe.”
Uzbekistan is double land-locked. One of two countries in the world that has 2 countries between it and the sea on all borders. The second one – Liechenstein.
Uzbekistan also shares borders with all other Stans in Central Asia – Kazakstan, Kyrgistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Central Asia – all 5 stans, while Middle Asia – minus Kazakstan.
General landscape of Uzbekistan – Western region – largely Steppes and desert. South – very hot climate. East more fertile with rivers and valleys. More moderate climate.
And so much more. Including facts about Australia – – –
The Kangaroo and Emu on the Coat of Arms were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward, based on the fact that neither animal can move backwards easily – i.e. symbolising progress. Hmmmmmm but what about 2019!
Discussion on the money of Uzbekistan elicited the comment “ In Uzbekistan you can become a millionaire” – we were to quickly find this out when changing money at the bank on arrival in Fergana. At present $10 Australian dollar = Uzbek 5,8000.00 S’om.
Lessons over for the day. Check in, Settle in and we were on our own for a wander around Fergana. A wander that lead us to the local Bazaar where we spent a hot but fascinating time wandering the aisles and chatting with locals in shared gesture language.
An abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Rows of the decorated circles of bread shiny glazed and each pattern a little different. Sweets and biscuits in large baskets. And a sweet we first thought was icecream but Chris was given a taste and declared it sweet and delicious. A dessert especially for Ramadam called Nishalda. Fortunately sold in containers too big for the two of us.
Trying to buy a battery and a camera cord we were entered what appeared to be a computer shop and helped by the shop owner who called a young man to interpret for us. Quickly understanding he removed a cord from his own computer and gave it to us. Such wonderful experiences – so lucky are we to have this amazing life.
