Day: April 15, 2006

Today was notable for the crossing of Samarkand and at kilometre 25 Serge entered the suburbs of his city of 400,000 inhabitants (the second largest city in Uzbekistan, after Tashkent, the capital).  He reached the cetner of the city at kilometre 35, passed in front of the mausoleum of Roukhabad, before reaching the Registan and its three medresses, without doubt the most famous square in the country, which is a few hundred meters from the mausoleum of Bibi Khanoum, with its blue cupola that glistens in the sun.  These and many other marvellous sights, which we did not see, were built in the 14th century during the reign of Tamerlane, the last nomadic, Turkish-Mongolian emperor, who for 35 years kept enlarging his empire and embellished its capital: Samarkand.  In spite of the vicissitudes of history (invasions, wars, earthquakes) these buildings, which have been restored, are of a stunning beauty that invites one to make the trip.

At kilometer 38, our escape to ancient times ended.  Time seemed to have stopped but the present caught up with us:  Serge followed his route in the direction of Jizzax or Djizzak, and once again felt winded between the 50th and 60th kilometer.

The race against kilometers continues and the meter continues to run.  It’s too bad Samarkand is not a stopping point for I’m sure we would have had good dreams there.

We wish you all a Happy Easter weekend.