2. Middle East and Central Asia

Turkmenistan, June 2008

A week was just enough time to take in Konye-Urgench, Ashgabat and the ancient sites around Mary before returning to Uzbekistan. The people are very friendly and curious, the general atmosphere quite strict.
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Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
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Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench

  • Mother and son, Konye-Urgench. From Nukus, Uzbekistan I took an organized tour to Turkmenistan--about the only way to see this little-visited, strange country. We first stopped at the ancient ruins of Konye-Urgench.
  • "Magic Brightness," Konye-Urgench. Been done before. Never gets old.
  • Nejameddin Kubra Mausoleum and Sultan Ali Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
  • Girl, Konye-Urgench
  • Pilgrim, Nejameddin Kubra Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
  • Nejameddin Kubra Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
  • Nejameddin Kubra Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
  • Turabeg Khanym, Konye-Urgench. This is the single most impressive structure in Konye-Urgench, with a breathtaking dome.
  • Turabeg Khanym, Konye-Urgench
  • Pilgrims, Konye-Urgench. This is the first time I have seen the practice of tying cloth associated with Muslim worship. Konye-Urgench is still a place of pilgrimage, especially for women undertaking fertility rites.
  • Cradles, Konye-Urgench. These miniature cradles, often very detailed, litter the ground in several areas.
  • Gutlug Timur Minaret, Konye-Urgench. This 700-year-old minaret is about 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) high, and still standing (though leaning). The next photo indicates its breadth at the base.
  • Gutlug Timur Minaret, Konye-Urgench
  • Miniature cradles, Konye-Urgench
  • Kyrk Molla, Konye-Urgench. Women roll down this hill in a fertility rite.
  • Miniature cradle, Konye-Urgench
  • Pilgrims, Konye-Urgench
  • Miniature cradle, Konye-Urgench
  • Il Arslan Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
  • Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Konye-Urgench
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