Down near the border with Turkmenistan the town of Khiva in Uzbekistan is a fascinating place full of history. The old town or Ichon Qala is surrounded by mud brick walls 10 meters high. Inside the walls the town has changed little since the 19th century when the British and Russian empires sought to seek influence over the Central Asian khanates as part of the Great Game.
I came across this friendly couple sat outside the Summer Mosque, the private mosque of the Khan and his court located inside the Khuna Ark. The man is wearing a style of fur hat which is commonly seen across central Asia. You can’t see it clearly in this picture but they both have a fine set of gold teeth which was a sign of wealth in Uzbekistan; though it is not so popular now with the younger generations.
An Uzbek couple at the Summer Mosque
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