The Waterstraut Waterspout: Tajikstan

I think we have the most Asian countries left, so we headed to Central Asia to knock another one off our list.

Tajikistan, one of the 15 former Soviet States, literally means 'Land of the Tajik people'. The word Tajik helps differentiate the Iranians and the Turks.

Present day Tajikistan was once part of the Persain Empire (and the Silk Road!). Today, it is unique in that, unlike it's neighbors to the north, east and west, the majority culture is non-Turk. They are Persian speakers in a Turkic world.

It is one of the smallest countries in central Asia, and the poorest countries out of the former Soviet States. It's actually one of the world's poorest countries, largely due to a Civil War that broke out shortly after their independence in 1991. The Civil Was was over the presidential elections, and many people not feeling represented. It lasted for 5 years.

Being a poor country, it does get by with a little help from its diplomatic friends and/or neighbors. Russian's keep guard at the borders to keep out drugs and extremists and terrorists; and China has helped Tajikistan grow its meager economy.

Tajikistan doesn't have a lot to offer in terms of tourism. It's major attraction is the Pamir Mountains. It's an awesomely rugged, extremely remote, largely unexplored area taking up 90% of the country's land area. It's said at least half the country sits at an altitude of 1.8 miles or higher. The mountains are arguably some of the most beautiful in the world. It is where the Himalayan, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Kunlun and Tian Shan mountain ranges meet.

If you'd like to take a road traveling the mountains, you'll need to hop on The M41, or the Pamir Highway, which was our landmark. The road goes from the capital of Dushanbe (*which, side note translates to 'Monday' in the Tajik language), eastward into the mountains.

The route has become an attraction for adventure travelers. Cyclists, motor-cyclists, and 4X4 Drivers all seek the challenge of the bone-crunching 1200 mile switchback through the western arm of the Himalayas.

The route has been used for over 1000 years, and once formed a part of the Silk Road. Today you can still find old Silk Road forts, and Marco Polo Sheep, along the old route.

Also, fun fact, Ancient-Sogdian, the language of the Silk Road is still spoken in some very remote parts of Tajikistan.

And when you hear of the 'Yeti' or the Abominable Snowman, it's said he roams the Pamir Mountain Range. (Russian guards swear they saw him).

The flag pole that waves the Tajikistan flag in Dushanbe is a whopping 541 feet tall, and was built to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence from the Soviet Union.

While in Tajikistan you'll almost surely have the opportunity to try non bread. It's a traditional bread, but there are rules. 1. You have to serve a meal with NON 2. It's so highly respected you can't eat it off the floor if it drops, you have to make a whole new one. 3. Nothing is allowed to be placed on top of the Non (unless it's another piece of Non). and 4. Don't place it upside-down, it's bad luck!

I forgot to take a picture of the boys Tajikistan postcards all together, but I got them when they were displayed in their collections.

Calib's featured the M41, the giant flag, and a guy with some non bread.

Peyton's featured the mountains, and a guy playing Buzkashi. I made Hayden cover his ears for that one though. The game translates to 'goat dragging' and is like playing keep away with goals with a body of a headless goat.

Hayden drew his whole Tajikstan scene on the top of a plateau to show the high altitude.

We were a bit delayed in our Tajik meal. For lunch we had a Tajik Bread Salad with Non, and dried apricots.

This meal earned five spoons up.

But mom was here, so there was also one spoon down. Hayden wasn't so much a fan. We served it with the leftover chili from last night to bolster the meal for those of us who were a bit more hungry, and he mostly just are his chili.

Mom and Peyton had the salad without the dressing, and they enjoyed it.

But honestly, the dressing really makes it, I highly recommend!

We colored Tajikistan in a light blue color, at the crossroads of yellow Kyrgyzstan, brown Uzbekistan, dark green Afghanistan, bright blue Pakistan, and teal China.