Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Sorry guys and gals for the awful lack of updates lately...but things were really busy these past few weeks...and on top of that I got an annoying cold which affected my overall state of mind to a great degree and made it hard to focus on anything...the cold is still lingering...at times it feels better, at times worse...but as for now I think I can post a few cards...I know that probably some may expect I post a bunch in order to make up for the times I didnt post any...but I dont want to do that just for the kicks, so I will leave it to 4 cards, the ones I initially chose like over a week ago, but wasnt able to post them.

The first chosen card comes from Uzbekistan...one I received back in 2009, by mistake I may say...the sender wasnt sure if he had already sent me a card so he posted another one...sweet :)
The first card he sent me showed Samarkand, while this one shows a part of Bukhara, one of the most ancient cities in the country and here you can see the famous Kalayan minaret, the Kalân Mosque and the Mir-i Arab Madrassah. These three actually form the Po-i-Kalan complex.

And this historic centre of Bukhara as been listed on the UNESCO whs list as well...so this means I can add another place to my UNESCO collection....yippie!

the stamp is from a set of 8 issued in 2008, regarding classical architecture in Uzbekistan, and here you see the State Academic Big Theatre by Alisher Navoi.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

A warm welcome from the cold cold very cold Skopje! The summer temperatures seem to be definitely over since Tuesday...on Monday i had my short sleeves, sitting in a cafe...at midnight...after several hours at 5 am, a heavy rain woke me up...when i left home, it was EXTREMELY cold, with a harsh wind blowing...i couldnt believe that such a drastic temp. change could happen in just 5 hours....i know i always complain about how hot it was here etc etc....but i never like such drastic changes, so right now im not really fond of this cold weather...so cold that i definitely have to wear gloves when i go out...oh well, i guess i can never be pleased as my ex loved saying over and over again...guess he was right

so, as usual, lets start the day with one of those so called rare countries...or at least rare in my stock of cards.
This is the Bibi Honim mausoleum in Samarkand, dating back from the 14th century. Samarkand is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and said to be the pearl of the country or the Gem of the East as stated in certain ancient Arab manuscripts.
It is one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world prospering from its location on the trade route between China and the Mediterranean, also known as the Silk Road. It was  founded circa 700 BC by the Persians  and was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 BC.
This makes me wanna say that Alexander is the pride and joy of Macedonia, though i know it would come to a bunch of disagreements, when claiming whose is Alexander actually...you know, politics...Greece...Macedonia...

the only problem im having regarding this card is the mausoleum/mosque issue...somewhere it is referred to as a mosque...at other places as a mausoleum..and im not sure which is right, since when looking at some pictures, i cant make an exact comparison...and on the right side, there is also a building on the pictures, but on the card there is an empty space...so if someone can clarify it all for me, id be thankful...i know the complex had undergone a reconstruction, which can be seen from the card as well....so i guess thats what causing the greatest confusion with me...and i need to have it cleared up.

 

the stamp comes from a set of 8 issued in 2008, regarding classical architecture in Uzbekistan, and here the State Academic Big Theatre by Alisher Navoi is represented.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Well, i think im feeling ok enough to finally make the update....i still fill pains, but not even as close as severe as they used to be...i walked like almost two hours yesterday...with no big problems...which means im good...i just wanna thank you ALL for all your concern, messages and get well wishes...you people are really amazing and one of a kind...I know i could go on rambling and rambling about this...but it all ends up with a HUUGE thank YOU!
And here is UZBEKISTAN!!! :)

the reason i actually didnt expect it to arrive was coz when i asked for it, i got a confirmation message, but never got the user's address so that we could swap, and i thought that he is busy or changed his mind or anything...so you can imagine my surprise eventually when i found it in my mailbox...at the postman's second attempt :D
Here in particular you can see the Amir Temur Street in Tashkent...Amir Temur or Tamerlane or Temur the Great (1336-1405).
He was a man of a complex, multi-faceted personality. He forged his own destiny and became a prominent historical figure. From his youth he appeared on the political scene as an active politician and military figure. Having become the ruler of Samarkand; he built a great army and carried on many annexationist campaigns. He made an outstanding contribution to the national state system, education and culture, and general development of his state. He promoted the construction of monumental historic buildings, especially in Samarkand. Some of them can be seen today.
So in general, Amir is considered to be as one of the most prominent people of Uzbekistan, and this street named after him is one of the central Tashkent streets....and you can also see the Tashkent TV tower, the highest building in Central Asia (375m.)

And well, as you can see....your stamp illiterate host, started posting stamps as well...even though the votes so far dont tell me much...honestly, all of a sudden while looking at all the stamps and those nice cancellations, i felt as if i had discovered a whole new world...yeah, yeah, have a laugh....i actually used to collect stamps many many years ago, along with my mum, but i never was a serious collector, nor i was fascinated by stamps then as i am now...i just made collections, figuring them out by myself, and putting them in their according series of issue...well, i know id be a lousy stamp collector, esp. since i DONT like taking out my stamps out of my letters and definitely not postcards, but i think im seeing them from a whole different point of view now...hmmm, its funny how people change sometimes....

The stamp here belongs to a 2008 issue of 4 stamps featuring rare grows in Uzbekistan.
Anton, thank you!