Tashkent, Uzbekistan (quality of life, live, dangerous)

[Tiger Beer]

I'd love to hear whatever experiences or knowledge people have on this city or location.

[wastina]

What do you want to know? It was the third-fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union, with a population large enough to win it a subway. Since independence, the city had modernized along the lines of modern, glassy/ugly funk. The President is cut from the same cloth as the rest of the region, holding the reigns tight, supporting family dynasties and squashing real democratic processes. In terms of quality of life, Tashkent is fairly livable... at least so it seemed to those of us who lived in Dushanbe!

[Tiger Beer]

How are the people? Is it fairly conservative? Are they open to foreigners?

I heard the city closes down around 11pm? No social outlets after that time? True?

Still many Russians around? Do people dress up to the tees - skirts, heels, etc. Much like others in the region?

Is the Muslim presense fairly visible in Tashkent? Are the head scarves becoming more common or less common?

Are there many people coming into Tashkent from neighboring countries?

Oh, and what is the general appearance of most Uzbeks in Uzbekistan? Is it slightly Asian or slightly Caucasian?

[wastina]

I've responded on your other post, but here are some more thoughts:

Yes, nightlife closes early, because there isn't much of one for the local population (except those with money, and then you get in to a very different, and potentially dangerous element). The gap between the rich and the poor and the empowered and the disempowered is quite large. Those with the power and the money will be noticable by their cars, their security details and their women.

In the cities you will see top-of-the-line western wear among the rich. Among the not so rich you'll see jeans and jackets. TO the extent that people from the villages are around (the markets) you'll get the more conservative dress and headscarves.

Cultural ettiquette is quite conservative. Sex only in marraige (but pros readily available).

Central Asia is Muslim, but they are Soviet lapsed, so they drink. But they don't like being reminded of the inconsistency.

There are some ethnic Russians around, and increasing amounts of Chinese. There's not a lot of local movement across borders with neighboring countries: mostly, everyone from the countries of the region are trying to get to RUssia to work, or further afield where life is much better. If you sit at the Taj/Uk border and watch the cross-border traffic, you'll be bored. There isn't much, except for Haj-time, when people go to Mecca.

Uzbeks are more Asian than Caucasian (using the Caucasian Tajiks as comparison), but their history is long and bloodlines are mixed. Look for the green-eyed read-heads: they're all said to come from Alexander the Great!

[thapennstateguy]

Very interesting thread. What else would you like to know about Uzbekistan/Tashkent?- I know much more about it.

[Ketabcha]

Are you familiar with the name (Mohdi) Rashid Dostum? He was born in Afghanistan but is an ethnic Uzbek. For the record, I can't stand the guy. I just wondered if he was actually known in Uzbekistan. I have a feeling he has probably caused trouble there....as he does wherever he goes.

[wastina]

Dostum's reputation is widely known in the region as a war lord. You appear to now be in/of the region. Why do you hate him?