I always wonder why the Winter Solstice is not more acknowledged and celebrated in our society. I think it is a big deal because starting today, December 22, the daylight hours get a little longer. There still are 2-3 months of cold weather ahead, but just knowing that the sunrise will a be a little bit earlier and the sunrise a little later, gives me hope that eventually, the long, warm days of summer and outdoor living will come. I see why ancient people celebrated this day and I wonder how long it took them to figure this out.
I always try to spend the day outdoors and at least watch the sunset. Unfortunately, it was overcast. I went jogging in the Navoi National Park and about 2 kilometers into my run, my right calf felt very tight. I had to limp back to my car. I did go for a long bike ride in the late afternoon, but I took Advil, and applied Deep Blue ointment and heat to the calf. It loosened up and this morning it still feels tight but I am not limping as much as I was yesterday. I think 1-2 more days and I’ll be able to run again. I am not sure what is causing it. I read that it may be my running form or just tightness from being old. I did an extensive yoga workout on Tuesday and will again today. Let’s see how it goes and just note that getting older is not pleasant…
My ride was disrupted by the arrival of the Kazakhstan president’s official visit with the Uzbek president. The main roads from the airport to the parliament were closed and I needed to find alternative routes. Uzbekistan is experiencing a natural gas shortage and I assume there will be some agreements to purchase more gas from Kazakhstan. Kazakh flags were posted around the city and welcome messages were on digital billboards all throughout Tashkent.
As you can see in the gallery above, development continues in the city at breakneck speed. Large apartment, office and retail developments are being constructed all over Tashkent.
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