Yesterday was such a go-go day I needed to take it easy in the morning and thought I’d head out around lunch time, which I did, but I didn’t last long. I was wandering through a more residential area to a quiet restaurant recommended by the lovely young woman at the front desk of my hotel. Above and below is an example of the courtyards found in most buildings especially those used as guest houses.
Sorry this all looks so plain compared to yesterday, I think along with my legs, my eyes were tired too!
And following are two buildings currently converted into guest houses.
This building is also a guest house. What the sign says: “Traditional Residence, Architectural Monument, XIX Century, Taken Into State Protection”
Here’s where I ate another yummy-good tomato salad and plov, the national pilaf-type dish of rice, vegetables, and some bits of meat on top.
I went out to one of the gates where you can buy a ticket to walk on the wall but by the time I got there I was already too hot and too tired for more walking in the full-on sun, and although I tried to imagine coming back when it was cooler… I knew deep-down that was wishful thinking.
This is I think a very good summary of the sites and short history of Khiva. The pictures are great and the text is concise and to the point. Actually, you can click around in this site for all kinds of interesting reading.
This day I was out of the heart of the inner city and we can see how radically the decorations have dropped off.
Heading back to my neighborhood.
Another view of the restaurant attached to my hotel, the Kheyvak. Notice the curtained platforms where people can eat in the traditional way.
And here’s the courtyard just out my door. I’ve got an early day tomorrow, off to the airport at 7:15 giving me 15 minutes to have a coffee and some food.
Ah, I forgot about these, a very old door and a sewer cover for Ingalill who collects them.
