July – August 2008 

Intro

Ever since the Soviet Union crumbled back in 1991, I’ve had an itching fascination for the newest countries in the world at the time — the unknown, unpronounceable, underappreciated… ‘stans.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.  How cool.  Of all the countries in the world, these were the hardest for me to

Journey Map

Featured Image

Xiaolongbao, Shanghai, China

Enjoying delicious xiaolongbao (soup-filled dumplings) in Shanghai. These delectable dumplings instantly became one of my favorite foods, and was the perfect way to end my dumpling-tasting trip through Central Asia!

Instagram

Bukhara, Uzbekistan (Jul. 2008) - my #sketch (and its reflection!) of the ismail samani #mausoleum in #bukhara, completed in 943 and regarded as one of the most important and #beautiful works of central asian #architecture ...

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Edirne, Turkey (Aug. 2008) - the #selimiye #mosque in #edirne, completed in 1754, is considered one of the most #beautiful examples of #islamic #architecture in the world, and #architect #mimarsinan`s #masterpiece ...

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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Jul. 2008) - my #sketch of the otherworldly #arch of neutrality #monument when it was still in central #ashgabat, topped with a golden statue of former authoritarian president niyazov, which rotated with the sun (seriously!). It has since been dismantled and moved to the outskirts of the city, and while the statue is still there, it no longer rotates 😉 ...

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Samarkand, Uzbekistan (Jul. 2008) - the bright #turquoise blue #dome and ornate brick and tile work of the tilya-kori #madrasah in #samarkand`s monumental #registan square ...

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Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan (Jul. 2008) - the #mausoleum of il-arslan is #konyeurgench`s oldest standing monument and famous for its unique #architecture ...

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Almaty, Kazakhstan (Aug. 2008) - the #beautiful ascension (or zenkov) #cathedral in #almaty`s panfilov park was completed in 1907, and is one of the tallest wooden #buildings in the world (and was also built without any nails!) ...

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Istanbul, Turkey (Aug. 2008) - the beautiful #hagiasophia in #sultanahmet #istanbul, one of my favorite cities in #europe! ...

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Khiva, Uzbekistan (Jul. 2008) - the unusual shape of the #beautiful yet stumpy kalta minor #minaret in #khiva was not intended, as the khan who commissioned it died during its construction and it was never finished ...

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Hissar, Tajikistan (Aug. 2008) - my #sketch of the impressive 16th century hissar #fortress, located just 30km outside #dushanbe, capital of #tajikistan 🇹🇯 ...

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Bukhara, Uzbekistan (Jul. 2008) - the chor minor (meaning "four minarets") #mosque in #bukhara, one of the most #beautiful and unique #buildings on the #silkroad ...

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Sketches

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