Khujand, the second-largest city in Tajikistan after the capital, Dushanbe, is home to 180,000 people. Though the country gained independence from Russia in 1991, our guide explained to us that its economy remains heavily reliant on remittances from migrant workers, most of whom are employed in Russia... Its key exports are aluminum and cotton. We’re happy we were able to explore and learn so much about this tiny land-locked country! And, another fabulous market!
Leaving Uzbekistan! We were driven two hours from our hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to the Oybek border crossing into Tajikistan. We were dropped off with our luggage and had to walk just about one mile through four security checkpoints into Tajikistan. We were met there by another driver and driven 40 miles to Khujand - it was quite the adventure! We repeated the process in reverse the next day. None of our drivers spoke English, we were thankful for Google translate and our English-speaking guide in Khujand
Khujand’s historical leaders. Behind them is the Syr Darya river which flows through four countries
Traditional soup called Shurbo. It’s a hearty soup made with meatballs, potatoes, and vegetables, topped with sour cream and fresh herbs
Long ago men would climb to the top of the minaret and announce the call to prayer. Now it just overlooks a plaza with kids chasing pigeons
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| Mosque near the market. There are separate sides on each balcony for men and women to pray. According to the Quran, men must pray in mosques. Women can pray wherever they want, typically in their homes |
Traditional hat worn in certain regions of the country
Delicious bread baked on the inside of tandoori ovens. Tajiks eat bread with every meal
Some bakers stamp their names and phone numbers into their bread, pretty ingenious These women, along with many others, were so friendly and curious about us. They offered us a taste of their sauce, which we gladly tried! It was a bit bitter. I can’t remember the name of it but we saw it in Uzbekistan too Beep, beep!!!
He welcomed us in the Tajik language, but quickly switched to English, and gave a thumbs up to all Americans
Panjshanbe Bazaar, built in 1964
I didn’t tell Mark (and in my defense, he didn’t ask) that I booked us into a local apartment for the night, up four flights of stairs. The combo of carpet and wallpaper gave us both a headache but it was also a wonderful local experience (for me, anyway)! 
I’m not allowed to make further accommodation reservations
Dinner was mahmy, similar to dumplings. I think the contents of the RC bottle was a homemade vinegar, it had garlic, herbs, peppers, but it was mild in taste. Four dumplings cost less than $1.50USD, and the gentleman behind the counter wouldn’t take a tip
Arbob Palace, former headquarters of the Soviet collective farm, built in the 1950s, and modeled on the winter gardens of Peterhof in Saint Petersburg. It was originally pink in color but was later painted to match Peterhof
Hoppy’s final bow after his command performance
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