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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Desert Bazaar

As my travel agency handled all the visas, I wasnt aware that Turkmenistan is one of the most difficult countries to enter. They are not keen on issuing very many tourist visas.Although my visa was obtained from the embassy in İstanbul, it seemed like it took hours to please the customs officer at the airport. He showed great interest to every page of my passport as if it is a rare thing..
So with lots of patience, I entered the country in the early hours of a rainy day. Although I had only few hours of sleep, I couldnt resist to visit the desert bazaar near Askhabat in the morning. Well, they said it is the biggest in Central Asia and tell me how could I resist...
Locals called this bazaar as Tolkuckha, a name comes from the Russian days, and they were right it was big. You could find almost everything, from second hand cars to wedding dresses, from construction materials to cosmetics, you name it..It was such a perfect place to start my adventure on the ancient silk road.




























I think you could probably identify most of the goods but in case you couldnt get the ones on the last photo, they are pop corns....and the puppy was not on sale, he only likes his picture to be taken..

22 comments:

  1. That bazaar fascinates me! How interesting!
    I so want to be along with you right there.
    Great pictures, as usual!
    B xx

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  2. Like back in history...
    It's great all places are not too modern and spoiled...
    Pop corn! wow!
    Did you see fast food places there, MD, KFC?

    Happy Sunday from Casablanca!

    BLOGitse

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  3. So rich with colour and culture! How could you resist those amazing treasures?

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  4. Very interesting, and educational too Ayshe. You win the prize for the most traveled-to exotic-places-person I know.
    LY,
    Dave Stanton

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  5. Would I love a shopping spree in that bazaar! It's so authentic...not totally westernized. I hope you were able to find a couple of treasures! I love the silk road already......

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  6. What a relief that they finally let you into the country.
    This market is fabulous, so many colors. Love the pictures of the women.

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  7. Oh my goodness ! I'm loving those curious brushes. Beautiful pictures as ever.

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  8. What a wonderful market! I would love to spend a day shopping there ... all the bright colors and exotic goods would have my head in the clouds.

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  9. I think I could have stayed there all day, taking photo after photo. Fascinating.

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  10. Stunning pictures. Glad you had fun and nice time in your trip!

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  11. what amazing experiences you have
    i'm hoping to visit Istanbul this fall sometime :) i'll be in Kiev for most of the time

    sara

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  12. I think you are my travel idol!! hahah.. always the most interesting places full of culture and beauty... love the pup.. not as gorgeous as Hera of course!! hahaha... Thanks also for your lovely comment.. xxx Julie

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  13. beautiful photos aysegul....wish i was there
    ~laura

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  14. i would LOVE to visit, that's the best thing about blogs, the friends you make :)
    thank you for the invite

    xoxo
    sara

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  15. wonderful first photos..love the colors in the threads, the flower necklaces. the popped corn? seems easier to just sell the kernels?
    and the fancy dresses exposed to the elements?
    all very interesting indeed!

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  16. Hi
    Amazing pictures. The bazaar has a middle eastern look about it - perhaps the population is primarily Muslim? Wasn't Turkmenistan part of the erstwhile USSR ?

    Great post

    Ram

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  17. The clothes, the food, the tents... All such rich and vibrant colour! Wonderful to see!

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  18. I love farmers markets & bazaars. I could lose myself for days in this one!

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  19. OMG what an amazing market!!! I want to go... and buy all that jewerly!!!

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  20. Oh that jewellery! I would be shipping back whole crates if I could afford to- it's stunning. You sound like you are having an incredible journey- just found your blog and am very jealous of your travels

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