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Arrived after a 14-hour flight on
the comfortable Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 767., Greeted by several officials from the Ministry
Foreign Affairs, who escorted us to airport’s VIP lounge. We were offered
refreshments while they processed passports and luggage. |
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In the lobby guests were pleased to find this traditional Uzbek trio, playing old-fashioned instruments and singing beautiful songs. |
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All
eyes focused on the Shaykh when he stepped into the lobby: the UNESCO guests; foreign
visitors; the hotel employees. Apparently astonished at seeing traditional picture of a
Sufi teacher present in the Sheraton Hotel lobby. TV and radio reporters swarmed the Shaykh, literally drowning him with questions. He spent considerable carefully answering them, making particular care to emphasize the Islamic Supreme Council's support for President Karimov's campaign to revive the religion of Islam under its traditional banner of peace, love and tolerance. |
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Driven by official cars to Tashkent Sheraton. There we were greeted by more representatives from the Foreign Ministry. Hotel lobby was very busy with many UNESCO guests along with the most likely “typical” throngs of businessmen and tourists visiting Tashkent. |
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After
relaxing from the long trip, the travelers spent some time strolling through Tashkent's
fantastic outdoor covered bazaar, filled with exquisitely decorated handicrafts, designed
to catch the eye and pocketbooks of globe-trotting tourists. |
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