Uzbek Family

Dancing ladies welcomed us to the home of this Uzbek family.So fun that the dancers were not "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders' but the mature women of the family.

I loved their exuberance!  

They seemed to just love having us there!  

 The enthusiasm was contagious! 

The musicians were wonderful! 

Normally they sit on mats at low tables to enjoy a snack. 

I think all of the 'mature' Americans were happy to have real tables and chairs, delicious bread, cookies and hot chocolate. 

 They must have been tipped off that the hot chocolate would be more popular with this group than tea!  It was delicious! 

Next they showed us some of their traditional ceremonies.  First the wedding ceremony.  The 'bride' and 'groom' and his mother came to each of our tables to formally greet us.   

We were all very interested in the 'cradling ceremony'.  When a new baby is born no one but immediate family see him or her for 40 days.  I kind of like this tradition.  At the end of the 40 days, the older women of the family are the ones to 'cradle' the baby.    The 'old' way is not to use diapers.  Babes are put in these cradles so that their bare bottoms fit over the large hole that you can see. Beneath the hole is the pot that our guide is holding. 

If you look closely you can see the plastic tube that is placed strategically on the little boy so that 'things' are aimed down!  Later on the trip in a museum I saw an old cradle and the tube was not plastic but a piece of hallowed out wood.  Can that possibly be comfortable?   

After all this he is swaddled tight and totally closed in and rocked.  The little boy they used for the demonstration was older than 40 days and was not too thrilled with his participation.  He did eventually calm down and go to sleep after being rocked for awhile.

Our guides told us that this was not a typical family.  They are considered to be quite wealthy.  This little guy certainly has expensive taste in cars.  Notice the Bentley jacket and the BMW hat! 

What do you think about the unibrow of the woman in the middle?  She was my wonderful dance partner and new best friend! 

This is the grandma - matriarch of the family!  She was the one to formally welcome us to their home.   

The whole family was delightful.  It is amazing how much you can communicate with a smile! 

These two darling girls practiced their English with us.  A memory making experience for all of us!