what we love about Tajikistan

or, the miraculous persistence of a sense of wonder

Alanna Shaikh

I've lived in Central Asia for seven years and I still love it. So much that I hauled my parents here with me this time. Yes, that surprises me too.

This is the place we share what we love; it's all new for my mom and reassuringly familiar for me.

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2011 (1)
June (1)
2010 (8)
December (1)
September (1)
July (2)
March (2)
February (1)
January (1)
2009 (21)
December (1)
October (2)
September (1)
August (17)
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June 30, 2011
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Drinking lukewarm kompote in the office kitchen with my colleagues.

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December 9, 2010

yak-40

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I don't love flying in them, but the distinctive sound of a Soviet airplane coming in over the city to the airport feels like home.

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September 8, 2010

Eid

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The stores were packed today with people buying cognac and champagne for their eid celebrations.

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July 19, 2010

Varzob

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Taking our son swimming all day in the pools in Varzob.

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July 6, 2010

parking

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No idea why I love this, but it cracks me up that when you park
illegally they take your license plate instead of just giving you a
ticket.

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March 9, 2010

seeds and nuts

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Especially peanuts coated with sesame seeds and honey, and almonds with a white sugar coating.

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March 5, 2010

Sunny afternoons

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My whole family is sitting out in the yard, getting sunshine.

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February 8, 2010

umbrellas

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Umbrellas carried in snow showers.

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January 15, 2010

driving

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Any time I perform a tricky car maneuver - parallel parking, k turn, backing up - every pedestrian in the vicinity starts making hand gestures to guide me.

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December 27, 2009

birds

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Flocks of birds chattering their way home through the twilight sky.

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