We are having a quiet and cozy weekend so far, with rain mixed with snow falling almost all Friday night and all day Saturday. As I am writing this on early Sunday morning, light snow flurries are gently swirling down on our front lawn. The photo on the left is of the tallest skyscraper in Central Asia, the Nest One Tower. Murad Building Company, with the Turkish construction company Ozguven concieved and built the building over the past several years. I met with Mr. Murad and some of the Ozguven directors when we were looking for a company to build our elementary school. I am happy for them that they completed the project! I hope they have full occupancy. I am noticing that with all of the residencial apartment blocks in the city, that the occupancy rates must be quite low. Uzbeks use apartments like we use 401 (k) s and stocks. They put their savings into real estate and hope it grows in value. I would love to have some data regarding occupancy rates.
The other photo I took was through my car window on Friday night. Oliver and I came across the white car smashing into a utility pole. Many Uzbeks are new to driving, and driving recklessly is a bit of a macho thing. You see a lot of car accidents and fender benders throughout the city. It will take a coupleof generations to realize that higher velocities mean a higher chance of accidents.
I did Day 15 of my 60 for 60 yoga workout in the morning and went for a run in the afternoon. I ran 6 kilometers around the Tashkent City development. I have not been there for a while. I see they have opened underground parking and established European style walking streets full of shops and restaurants on the ground floor of residential apartments. Nadia and I went to lunch at Breadly Bakery and restaurant. We spent the late afternoon and early evening taking down all of our Christmas decorations in the house. We have a lot more space with the tree, Nadia’s nutcracker and wreath collection put into storage.
My eldest son Owen, is serving in the United States Peace Corps in Costa Rica. He occasionally sends us photos of his life. It is nice to see him giving back to the community and helping the disadvantaged of Costa Rick with their food drive.
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