Tashkent - Uzbekistan

The early morning arrival at Tashkent airport created mixed feelings.....the airport was small, a little unorganized in search for forms in english, and further disorganized at the pre-customs....nothing too much, just a little glaring when one is used to living and visitng countries which have sustainabale processes in place.....the driver was waiitng for us as we emerged from the terminal and the early morning warmth and the drive through the clean wide roads of the city, soon brought the thoughts back to a feeling of eagerness and excitement....the new hotel, with its service and smile made the mind and body relaxed and ready to settle in for the 2 days stay in Tashkent. The Park Turon Hotel, offered comfort and a touch of hospitality of the east.
As we went sightseeing the city offered old buidlings, new renovations and remnants of the communist regime.........people were very friendly and warm and had a smile on their face, even with the barrier of the language the communication lines were open......a woman selling walnuts, was so intrigued when she saw the picture I took, she asked me to visit her in the mountains, where she lives. In an unexpected way the afternoon wait of over an hour became an opportunity to connect with the local people..... the camera became a point of interest as they posed while I took their pictures......a picture became worth a thousand words.

Dealer in intangibles - from Moscow airport

August 8, 2009

After spending 3 days in Istanbul it is time to move onwards to Central Asia…………a few words regarding Istanbul. We stayed with Sevil, a common friend, and in these three days I had a taste of Istanbul that staying in a hotel and doing the tourist activities would not have matched. Yoga and meditation by the Marmara sea………..watching and using the exercise machines setup in the park by the sea…..what a great idea, children have their play area and here I was seeing adults doing different exercises using the equipment……the days were spent relaxing on Sevil,s balcony, overlooking the sea…………evenings were spent in the area around Taksim……full of tourists walking around Bayoglu, We walked up to the Galata tower.
Last night we went to the open air convention organized as a partnering of Isuzu and the Turkish transportation. Great musical presentation, introductions and hand shakes……the live music of Turkish, French and English songs………as I looked up the full moon was waning, yet magnificent…….We ended the evening at a restaurant on the Bosphorous, called Dragon………what a magnificent view of Istanbul against the backdrop of the shimmering sea.

This morning we started our journey to Tashkent. The ferry ride from Bostanci (pronounced bos-tan-chi) to Bakirkoy took about 50 minutes, listening to the iPod as we sailed was a luxury ride in itself.

The wonderful people I met in Konya and Istanbul trip were the essence of this trip………..as I realized the world has many beautiful places to visit and see, but it is the people that turn the seeing into a feeling.

Moving on as i leave Konya - August 5, 2009

from the lobby of the the Dergah hotel, i sit and watch the mausoleum of Rumi........the memory of the twirling dervish and the Sema last night emerges......the full moon watching over the event, on the side and unobtrusive.....under the clear night sky......it is time to be......drink in and soak in the moment......as the soul becomes enriched.

Sema ceremony - Konya Turkey

What is Sema......it is hearing, from the privacy of the Hidden Secret of the Heart... In the thousands of turns of the dervish, you see the joy turning within us, like wine without the glass.......... through the camera lens, i watched the Sema ceremony.....i am reminded that this is meditation in motion......the body language of the dervish and the significance of the arms....... first folded, then as one hand opens to the sky to receive, the other gives from the heart to the world.....outwardly it seems like a performance......yet in the midst of the onlookers.......they are centered without duality....one in their oneness.......




Full moon and the twirling dervish at the mausoleum of Rumi

Rumi in Konya, Turkey

the arrival in Istanbul was followed by a night ride to Konya. The bus ride was very comfortable and the hospitality of the East was reflected in the service......fresh water, tea, coffee, snacks, and wet wipes to keep everyone happy......

since our arrival in Konya, we were fortunate to be introduced to Esin Celebi, she is the 22nd generation descendant of Rumi. Esin took us under her wings, and the first 2 days were spent less as tourist....we wandered with Esin and were privy to all the little perks which a Rumi Foundation member enjoys.......we met many who did not speak English....Rumi and his poetry came back to mind....close the language door and open the window of love.