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A Taste of Turkmenistan
A look at Turkmenistan and its food and market culture.
Includes visits to Turkmenbashi, Ashgabat (Gulustan Russian Market and Tolkuchka Weekend Market), Mary, and Konye Urgench.
Read more about Turkmenistan.
Photo Sets
Traditional China in Pingyao
18 Pictures
Visiting the Warriors in Xi'an, China
18 Pictures
A Tibetan Pilgrimage - Xiahe, China
27 Pictures
Central Asia - Landscapes and Cityscapes
36 Pictures
People of Central Asia
30 Pictures
Lunch Time at Paraw Bibi
Our group was given a large plate of plov (pictured here - rice, vegetables and meat) and a meat stew by a family visiting Paraw Bibi. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Iskender Yogurt Kebab
A shot of our first meal in Turkmenistan, at Deniz Cafe. Iskender kabab (or yogurt kabab) proved one of our best meals in Turkmenistan. The combination of plain yogurt and grilled meat is delicious. ..A group of Peace Corps Volunteers at the cafe were as shocked to see us (American tourists) as we were to see them. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Sturgeon Shashlik
Perfectly grilled fish at Deniz Cafe in Turkmenbashi. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Hearty Laghman
Laghman, an Uzbek soup-stew staple is chock full of spaghetti, potatoes, tomatoes, herbs and meat. Read more about Turkmenistan.
First Impressions
Our first impressions of Turkmenistan came from the big market in Turkmenbashi (which we visited in order to exchange money on the black market). ..We were all blown away by the smiles, friendly questions and colorful dress of the vendors. We had expected people to be more reserved and afraid of foreigners. Luckily, we were repeatedly mistaken. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
Sisterly Teamwork
These sisters work together to sell eggs at the market in Turkmenbashi. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Pickled Veggies
The stalls selling pickled vegetables and fish were always colorful...and fragrant. At the main market in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Tomato Season
Ripened tomatoes stand out at Ashgabat's Russian Market (Gulustan). Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
A Samovar and a Smile
Stuffed breads and tea on sale at Ashgabat's Russian Market (Gulustan). Read more about Turkmenistan.
Herbal Doc
This herbal tea vendor plays the role of a doctor in his white lab coat at the Russian Market (Gulustan) in Ashgabat. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Natural Remedies
Herbal teas to soothe all ailments are on sale at Ashgabat's Russian Market (Gulustan). Read more about Turkmenistan.
Dried Fruits and Nuts
The selection and variety of dried fruits and nuts can be overwhelming. We just wanted to buy some pistachios for the ride to Darvaza and we were faced with the choice of five different varieties (Azerbaijani, Iranian and Turkmen)! ..We bought dried apricots instead. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Audrey's Tutor
This woman tried to teach Audrey how to tie her scarf. Unfortunately, Audrey is a slow learner, so she had to get more help a few stalls away. The women taught her yet another way and secured the scarf with hair pins. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Fresh Somsa
Stuffed with meat and steaming fresh from the oven, these pastries (somsa) at Ashgabat's Tolkuchka Market smelled and tasted delicious. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Nostalgia
Tolkuchka Weekend Market, Ashgabat Read more about Turkmenistan.
A Clove a Day Keeps the Vampires Away
This colorfully dressed garlic vendor at the market in Mary reminded us of a Native American. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Sweet Smiles
Another shot of friendliness from the market in Mary, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Curd Scraping
This woman scrapes the curd away from a cheese cloth at the market in Mary, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Shy Smile
This beautifully dressed vendor at the market in Mary, Turkmenistan was a little camera shy, but got a kick out of seeing her image in the LCD display afterwards.. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Wedding Day Demure
The bride keeps a handkerchief at her mouth all day in order to resist the temptation to talk. The maid of honor seems to be having more fun than the bride. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Dessert in a Yurt
Our group shares a romantic meal in a truck stop yurt in the middle of the desert near Darvaza. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
A Family Affair
Girls help their mother sell greens at the market in Konye-Urgench. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Cleaning Vegetables with a Broom?
Another curious shot from the market in Konye-Urgench. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Shall We Dance?
This spirited man grabbed a vendor at the market in Konye-Urgench and took her for a spin around the vegetables. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
