Tuesday 7th October
Our last morning in Tashkent started with a leisurely breakfast to the accompaniment of a harp! We ladies decided to make the most of the couple of hours remaining to visit GUM, the ex Soviet department store.We were joined by two of the men but whether this was an act of chivalry or a restraining order was unclear.At first sight we were disappointed, lots of gilt and glitter in fairly poor taste, but we eventually found the souvenir part and began to spend, spend, spend. We were not allowed to take any money out of the country so some careful calculations were necessary. On the way back to the hotel we were reprimanded by the KGB as we crossed the road outside their building
Our departure through the airport was uneventful and we were asked for none of the receipts, hotel tabs or other bits of paper we had been told to guard!The flight back was infinitely better than the flight out, the plane was only half full so lots of room.
A wonderful hliday, superbly organised by Robin and Ros. There are too many highlights to name but I shall never forget the money. The highest value notes are only 5000 soum and 40,000 equals about £5 so one finds oneself counting out ridiculous amounts of paper money. A 2 inch pile of notes is about £50. Cash dispensers are few and far between and in the strangest places (two we saw in mausoleums!),
There is always a slight undercurrent of big brother and we felt that some of our guides were being very careful. "Our President says" was a common phrase. BUT the people were very friendly and helpful and it is a very clean and orderly country.There is a wealth of things to see and do and it truly was was a holiday to remember.
Our last morning in Tashkent started with a leisurely breakfast to the accompaniment of a harp! We ladies decided to make the most of the couple of hours remaining to visit GUM, the ex Soviet department store.We were joined by two of the men but whether this was an act of chivalry or a restraining order was unclear.At first sight we were disappointed, lots of gilt and glitter in fairly poor taste, but we eventually found the souvenir part and began to spend, spend, spend. We were not allowed to take any money out of the country so some careful calculations were necessary. On the way back to the hotel we were reprimanded by the KGB as we crossed the road outside their building
Our departure through the airport was uneventful and we were asked for none of the receipts, hotel tabs or other bits of paper we had been told to guard!The flight back was infinitely better than the flight out, the plane was only half full so lots of room.
A wonderful hliday, superbly organised by Robin and Ros. There are too many highlights to name but I shall never forget the money. The highest value notes are only 5000 soum and 40,000 equals about £5 so one finds oneself counting out ridiculous amounts of paper money. A 2 inch pile of notes is about £50. Cash dispensers are few and far between and in the strangest places (two we saw in mausoleums!),
There is always a slight undercurrent of big brother and we felt that some of our guides were being very careful. "Our President says" was a common phrase. BUT the people were very friendly and helpful and it is a very clean and orderly country.There is a wealth of things to see and do and it truly was was a holiday to remember.
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