Uzbekistan, Tashkent

In the middle of the old Silk Route, surrounded by deserts and mountains, lies Taskent, capital of Uzbekistan. For centuries this ancient city has been influenced by the ancient realms of Europe and Asia which have all left their marks on Uzbek culture and the features of it's inhabitants. Caught between these two continents Uzbekistan has both their advantages and disadvantages.

Swift subway system

Tashkent has been the centre of the eastern Sovjet Union which you can very much feel today. The city is modern in it's typical Soviet way with tree lined avenues and a swift subway system. But when you look further you can surely find the old Muslim mosques and clothing in the streets. It's a mixed bunch that up untill now has managed to stick together pretty well.

The cucumbers

The women in this photo are not allowed to sell their stuff here. They know it and so do "the cucumbers" the nickname for the police. They wear green outfits and local people think they're big pricks. This probably has something to do with the constant pay offs to the cucumbers that these women too would have to suffer if caught by them. There's always a woman on the look out to see if they're coming and if so they disappear swiftly into the many small alleyways of the bazaar around the corner, picking up their goods in a matter of seconds.

Home to the once mighty Aral lake, which has been all but drained for the enormous cotton industry, Uzbekistan is an impressive place. With president Karimov sturdy at the helm, looking like he's not going anywhere else anytime soon.