Free Day in Samarkand

Today was a free day to immerse ourselves in this enchanting Silk Road city. We took an early morning stroll down to the Slyob Bazaar where I purchased a nice quilted jacket. Gilles and I both needed haircuts so got that done at a barber shop for $10 each. Women here wear their hair long so I was advised to go to a barber shop, given my short hair style. After lunch we took another stroll to Registan Square where we ate gelato and people watched. It was a great day to play catch up with packing and reading and sorting photos. No complaints from this girl! Our time in the Stan’s (6 weeks) has come to an end. Was it everything I had hoped for? Yes it was! I loved every minute in the mountains, hiking up steep passes and down into deep gorges, trekking alongside streams and rivers, camping alongside picturesque mountains and lakes, crossing rickety wooden bridges, bumpy car rides on bad roads at the cliffs edges, and traipsing through pastures of sheep, cattle, goats, yaks and horses. It wasn’t always easy but things that are worthwhile rarely are. Some of the hikes were tough and challenged my body and my mind, some of the nights camping were cold, some days were very hot and dusty while others were muddy and slippery. I always had nourishing food, a warm sleeping bag, comfortable clothing, and a roof over my head ( a canvas one at the very least). The views took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. For me this trip was a dream come true. We depart at 3am tomorrow morning for Portugal. Feeling very blessed and grateful.💕Read more