Today was a relaxed and happy day, the morning started with laughter. At our first car stop we encountered a man and his goat. He had a pet goat, well more like a ram tied up to a rope, standing beside him outside his house. This animal loved him, to the extent he would jump up humping  the man whilst teasing him with the rope. The goat would run up and smack him with his head in his groan, I was in hysterics. I could not stop laughing! So glad I got it all on film! Its quite bizarre that I was actually thinking to myself earlier in the morning that we haven’t seen any animals on this trip. I was very much missing my horse this morning, seeing his picture along with Julien’s. The one from the time we went lake como in Italy. I have them placed up beside my bed on the train. Oh how I miss the touch of Achilles’s coat and Julien’s soft hands running down my face.

Back to today, our first stop being the residence of The Emirs of Bukhara- The despotic and ruthless leaders who ruled until Soviet times.

We walked around the grounds of this beautiful and well kept place. Full of bright colours, rooms with silk rugs, pottery and glass cabinets. Very different than what I have ever come across. Outside there was a very talented painter who is well known in the country ….. We managed to make a deal with him for some of his wonderful pieces. Very special indeed, a Silk Road painting I will be bringing home.

Next stop was a small ancient mosque where our guide told us we needed to walk around it three times and make a wish. Its said that this is the place where dreams come true. Unfortunately I really wasn’t paying too much attention on this ancient mosque, as I was worrying about G freezing to death as the wind was so unbelievably cold. Our leader on the train told us that it wouldn’t be very cold today so we didn’t dress very warm. The guide we had today then brought us to another mosque called Borlo. I wont forget this name as it sounds the same as Juliens last name, Burlo. How Julien says it in his beautiful french accent, it sounded identical. I really liked this place as it made me think of him. While we went inside, again being all my favourite colour pastel blue, we sat quietly in the corner listening to the men up front pray. Such a vast space but how calm and relaxed I was just sitting in there.

Lunch was next in a very middle eastern looking area of the old town. I couldn’t help but notice how many brides we have seen today. All looking younger than myself! Some of the ladies where wearing big beautiful white dresses and sparkling tiaras. Our guide said this is a must for the ladies to wear. They must wear this crown/tiara for their wedding day and for forty days after getting married!

Walking past and having a picture with one of the brides, we then went into our restaurant, plenty of food already on the table for us. It was very similar to the Palestinian food we had last month whilst we were in the Middle East. Ive decided its my favourite food. So healthy and fresh!

While we were sitting enjoying our meals, out came a man and his son, wearing the most beautiful velvet dress robes.They sat by us in the middle of the room and started playing their instruments and the older man sung to us.. A few minutes later a mother and daughter came out and  started dancing in their special coloured outfits. So wonderful to see a family coming together to perform with such flow and connection between the four.

After having changed outfits half a dozen times, the girl came up and tried to pull me into the middle to dance with them. The south African lady that was sitting beside me went into the middle and we tried to copy her dance moves. Non stop laughter again!

Finally it was time to make our journey back to the train, such a wonderful lunch. I can’t forget to mention how all the men came to help us out the restaurant. They lifted Mrs G in her chair and carried the Queen outside! What a great picture! G in pure happiness, with smiles running one ear to the other, it was a fantastic lunch! Whilst we were walking to get back to the car we stopped in a market to find a fabric shop where the men and woman buy their traditional wedding attire. The family owned business were so kind, they showed us around their shop with big smiles on there faces. Having not being able to speak any english they pulled out a traditional dress from the glass cupboard. Dressing me up with a crown on my head, I had to get a picture! I find the people here have been so kind hearted and opened arms for us everyday.

Now we will be making our journey to Turkmenistan, where some of the passengers must leave the train, having been denied visas! Apparently Turkmenistan is ridiculously strict and this couple being journalists before they retired, have been denied entry. They will be flying to Istanbul then meeting us in Iran. I wonder how we will be going through the boarders. Our leader says it could take half a day talking to passport control as they will be searching everything and throughly checking passports. The next two days will be on the train. Having finished my book, I think its time of me to go check out the library on board again 🙂