Zeloni Bazar (Green Market) - Russian name

This posting is way overdue. Here are (yes, finally) some pictures from the Green Market - one of the large outdoor markets/bazars in Dushanbe. It's the best place to get veggies. In the warm months, there was an amazing selection of fresh fruit. At this time of year there's still lots of carrots, potatoes, and onions - and grapes (?). There is some fruit, but mostly from abroad, and quite expensive. You can buy almost anything here, including household items and clothes. But these pics focus on the produce. I didn' t take the pictures - but I will try to get there with my camera when the selection is a bit more colorful!

Welcome to the Shokhmansur Market (Tajik), Zeloni Bazar (Russian) or Green Market (English - translated from the Russian).

Here are some of the veggies: Tomatoes, cucumbers and looks like lemons further back. Everything is sold by kilo. Last weekend I bought 1kg potatoes for 1.40 Somoni and 1kg apples for 4 Somoni. The exchange rate is about 4.40 Somoni per USD. Most of these veggies are local - and quite delicious. I've been careful to scrub them with detergent and then let them soak in boiled or bottled water for several hours before eating - and haven't had any tummy issues.

Needless to say, these people don't speak much English - but will try to overcharge you if they think they can get away with it! So this is where I've been practicing my Tajik! :)
More tomatoes - and it looks like beets or turnips further back and cabbage.


The ever-present cabbage! The vendors seem to be equally men and women.




Big sacks of onions, potatoes and carrots. You can 'rent' these wagons (and a 'driver') to help with transporting your purchases. I've never bought that much to make it worthwhile. But I can tell you that these wagons have the right of way and stop for no one and nothing! :)















This looks like leafy greens - cabbage, parseley (?), green onion, and looks like perhaps some eggplant in front of the counter. The eggplant and cucumbers are about 1/2 to 1/4 the size of what I'm used to seeing in the US.

You can also buy pasta and grains in bulk - as well as carrying sacks (hanging above). And, yes, please do note the prominent display of "Barf"!

These look like nuts, and I think I see some dried fruit (apricots?) in the second row (again, I didn't take these pics, so I'm not sure). This is also how spices are sold in the bazar.

Here's how meat is sold here in the bazar. Despite the fact that it looks like this gentleman might be cold, these are not in cooled or refrigerated areas (many are outside).

From what I've seen - there are animal parts for sale that I've never seen before!

Needless to say - this is not where I buy meat!

Again, I'll try to get to the bazar with my camera and take some more pics when there's more to see in the market.

Please let me know if you've any q's about things in any of the pictures - hopefully I can clarify!!

Please note the following disclaimer: "This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the INL Fellow's own and do not represent the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program or the U.S. Department of State".

Flag Day in Tajikistan

Well, here's my next post.

And I'll say right from the beginning, that is not meant to offend, nor am I stupid. And as the disclaimer below clearly states, there are my personal views, not part of any organization.

But I have to admit - I relly felt like I was in another world at the Flag Day ceremony here in TJ. Or, rather, I didn't stay for the ceremony (due to the bad weather), but I was there for the 'prep'.

And as I'm watching all this, I can't help asking many q's in my mind.....I know the US does have a Flag Day, but as best I know, all we do is fly our flag. Is there any ceremony that comes with the day?

This was a huge ceremony (gathering of at least 1,000 ppl in a central area). Do we do that? Here are some pics I took:

and more

I was there because I was on my way to do things (yes, exchange some $$) and the do some grocery shopping), but I stopped to check it out.

I was amazed that from what I could see it was school children (hs and univ level (or at least age)) who were all carrying/waving flags. Then as time went by, the military started arriving. No, not military like the May Day Parades we've all seen from Moscow, but definitely military ppl (ie all in uniform). Very unusual - and unfamilar to say the least. Didn't see anyone like "me" - well, of course not quite like me, but anyone who was there just to see.

With the huge crowds of miliary and flag waving youth, the thing that popped into my mind were old documentary footage from demonstrations of nationalism, etc. It was a very strange feeling - and that, more than the rain, made me leave. I also seemed to be the only one taking pictures. But at least no one stopped me - but they did let me know when I was in an "off limits" area.

It's wierd. Although you don't see it on the surface, this is a very controlled society. And the military plays a huge roll.

Well, that's just my own personal opinion. I'm not sure if my pictures will get up here; I'm having difficulty with my internet - yet another challenge in Tajikistan. Sorry. But it does make me realized (yet again) how much I had taken for granted up to now.

So now I'm back in my apt, warming up and listening to some Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue) - somehow I don't have any Sousa on my IPod...or other good "American music"!!

So that, perhaps, is my Thanksgiving Greeting! :) I just have to keep reminding myself that it is all relative, and I'm not here permanently.

Enjoy Turkey time with Friends and Family! :)

Please note the following disclaimer: "This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the INL Fellow's own and do not represent the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program or the U.S. Department of State".