Silk Road Sites, Uzbekistan

Excited Little Girl - Khiva, Uzbekistan

This girl in Khiva, Uzbekistan gets very excited by the camera. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Islam Khoja Minaret - Khiva, Uzbekistan

Standing at 45 meters, Islam Khoja Minaret is difficult to fit into the viewfinder of a camera from its base. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Alloquli Khan Medressa - Khiva, Uzbekistan

An early evening social gathering of birds atop Alloquli Khan Medressa in Khiva, Uzbekistan. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Old Khiva's Skyline in Sepia - Khiva, Uzbekistan

The Islam Khoja Minaret (1910) and Pahvlavan Mahmud Mausoleum mark the skyline of old Khiva. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Kutlimurodinok Medressa - Khiva, Uzbekistan

Now a handicrafts center, this Medressa dates back to the early 19th century. The Allakulikhan Medressa across the way is almost a mirror copy with matching tile facades. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Khiva's Mud Walls - Khiva, Uzbekistan

Built in the 18th century after the Persians destroyed them, these mud walls encircle all of Old Khiva. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Kutlimurodinok Medressa - Khiva, Uzbekistan

A view of Kutlimurodinok Medressa and its modern day vendors. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Pensive Statue at Khiva's Main Gate- Khiva, Uzbekistan

A pensive-looking statue stands outside Khiva's main gate (Ata Darvaza). To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Miniature Silk Road Scene - Khiva, Uzbekistan

Souvenir stand, Khiva, Uzbekistan. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Kalta Minor Minaret - Khiva, Uzbekistan

The beautiful tiled exterior of the Kalta Minor Minaret reflects the afternoon sun. Unfortunately, its construction was never completed. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan. www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/

Sunflower - Khiva, Uzbekistan

A sunflower seeks relief under the baking sun in Khiva, Uzbekistan. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Silk Road Map - Khiva, Uzbekistan

This map portrays Bukhara as the crossroads of Silk Road paths to the west, east and south to India. Though hard to believe, this part of the world was once the center of learning and technology, as Europe lagged behind. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Mir-i-Arab Medressa - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Kalon Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Medressa (left) and Kalon Mosque form an impressive square in Bukhara. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Excited Little Girl - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

This little girl was excited to be in Bukhara! To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Kalon Mosque - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Used as a warehouse during the Soviet Union, the Kalon Mosque in Bukhara is large enough to hold 10,000 people. It was reopened as a mosque in 1991. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.href="http://www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/">www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/

Uzbek Street Painting - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is still loaded with propaganda billboards and paintings like this Uzbek Mona Lisa clutching cotton, a staple of the Uzbek economy. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.href="http://www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/">www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/

Mir-i-Arab Medressa - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

An active seminary in Bukhara since the 16th century. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Mir-i-Arab Medressa - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Located near the Kalon Minaret, this medressa was closed to the public, so we could only admire its beauty from afar. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.href="http://www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/">www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/11/uzbekistan-overchargistan/

Bukhara's Ark - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara's oldest structure (from the 5th century), the Ark was the home of Bukhara's royalty. Reconstructed today, the original structure was mostly destroyed by Russian bombs in 1920. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Lyabi-Hauz Fountain - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Ducks at the Lyabi-Hauz in Bukhara have a shelter to escape to when whether gets bad. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Ark and Sky in Sepia - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara, Uzbekistan To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Smile! Girl with Shaved Head - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

We're not quite sure what happened to this girl's hair, but she didn't seem to mind. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Weekend Markets in Bukhara, Uzbekistan

The weekend markets near Kalon Minaret and Mosque. In contrast to the museum-like Khiva, Bukhara and its streets are full of local life. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Ceramics Vendor - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Star, a street vendor near Kalon Mosque, befriended us when Audrey needed help tying her scarf. When Audrey left her scarf at the hotel the following day, Star gave her another one to keep her cool in the baking Bukhara sun. Star was quite the linguaphile, knowing the basics in 12 languages. Impressive. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Old Man with a Cane - Shakhrisabz, Uzbekistan

Shakhrisabz, Uzbekistan To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.