Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadan (Ramazon in Uzbek) based on the lunar calendar so it moves by approximately 10 days annually. This year it started on March 1 and ends on March 30. The city’s vibe definitely changes because people are more active at night. There is less traffic and fewer people in the grocery store, which I like. On my nightly walks with my dog Obi, I notice the mosques are always full to listen to the reading of the Koran. The Al Badr Mosque right behind the school was standing-room-only and men were praying outside. You can see the shoe racks to the left. Police cordoned off the street and were keeping a close watch on people walking through, including me. They never bothered me, but they were keeping an eye on me.
Above is a view from the rooftop restaurant of the Grand Mir Hotel. The busy roundabout is at the intersection of Mirabad Avenue, Shota Rosevelit Avenue, and Shakrisabz Street. We are scouting locations for the accommodation of new teachers when they arrive in August. The Grand Mir is a historic hotel. Built in 1960 and named the Hotel Russia, today it is a 4-star hotel in a prime location in the city.
Hopefully, we have had our last snowfall of the year. We received several inches of snow on Sunday and Monday this week. It was a lighter snow than the previous storm, so no downed trees. Temperatures remained cold for a few days until the sun melted the snow by the end of the week. I was careful walking on the icy sidewalks going to a dentist appointment (photo right), and the snow enhanced the view from The House Garden (left) at school.
My son Owen shot a short video of driving in Marquette, Michigan. The Upper Peninsula usually gets a lot of snow and it reminds me of my childhood. Thanks for sending it Owen!
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