The road through the mountains

The road to Fergana is through the Tien Shein Mountains (will they never end they have been following us since Umruchi) The pass is about 9000 feet and there is a tunnel under the peak.

Climbing from the Tashkent plain the mountain scenery is stunning. River on right (will check name later), snow capped peaks, always poplar trees standing to attention in their bright spring attire. We stopped for a bathroom break. A new level in simple for this trip - perhaps I would prefer to find a nice bush enquired Tahir delicately. No I would give it a whirl I said. there was running water. Some thoughtful soul had run a hose pipe from the nearby mountain stream. Rose petal soap and a washcloth from the hotel completed the job.

We began to see clusters of women beside the road waving something red. I realised that they were bunches of tulips. When I wrote about the history of tulips I discovered they came from the mountains of Central Asia. Here they were. Another Ah Ha moment. We had to stop. The tulips are short stemmed, red, black at the base of the petal. I have photographs - cannot currently attach photographs either. They were in big bunches of about fifty and the women were also colorfully dressed. I did not buy any - they would not like the long hot journey and I am sure prefer to remain in the mountain air. the women were also selling Rhubarb. This was a hot commodity on the silk route - believe it or not. Araf and Tahir bought some. Before we got back to the car we watched a flock of brown sheep as they were herded along the road. The Baaing cacophony was the perfect sound effect for the red tulips. Lots of Shashlick (kebab) said Tahir. Time to get back in the car.

Tahir peeled Rhubarb and gave me some. This was breaking all the rules - about eating fruit - but it was peeled I guess. It was super sour. I finally buried it in a kleenex in my bag when he was not looking. TTFN