Trying to leave Bukara

The morning is fresh and bright after a midnight thunderstorm. The airport is in view with its access road lined in leafy poplars. We are all set for the flight to Tashkent.

Surprise. The entrance to the access road is blocked by a long cement barrier and a metal barrier with two padlocks. Guide gets out and heads for airport in the distance. Driver gets out and fingers locks. Taxi arrives surveys scene and drives away. Bus of Uzbecks arrives, does u turn. We wait. Perhaps they are still building the airport says Susan. In the distance there is great activity with buckets being hauled up and down scaffolding. We wait.

And we wait. Eventually two policemen saunter into view in green uniforms. One is swinging a plastic bag, the other....a key. They take their time. We wait some more. Eventually they unlock the gate. We are on our way. Uzbek style. TTFN