New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-03-07
TW0.|N.ONE CITY
IN Central ASIA
One Section Of Tlshkent Old,
Other More Modern

washington -. u, March o.
when Tashkent recently shook for
several hours. during 4 Central
Asian earthquake. native merchants
continued to drive bargains in the
bazaars, and the loungers In the tea
rooms had something new to talk
about" says = bulletin from the
Washington. D. c.. headquarters of
the National Geographic Society.
1.-THE traveller is reminded of
Tashkent's frequent tremors when
he enters the city. Few houses are
more than one story high so that
earthquake damage is reduced to
minimum.
Russian Quarter = Bit Of Europe
Using modern real estate terms.
Tashkent might be called a duplex.
or semi-detached, city," continues
the bulletin. 1.-THE old city-no one
seems to know how old-still stands
in Its dust while the adjoining Rus
sian town, built since the Russians
occupied Tashkent in 1866. presents
a modern aspect.
''The traveller who makes a long,
dusty journey from Moscow to Cen
trail Asia finds comfortable accom-.
modatiors in the Russian quarter.
Wide streets are lined with elms and
poplars. and clear streams flow
through them. Many OF the houses
are surrounded by grassy lawns and
the parks adorned with beds of
blooming flowers. The population Of
this quarter is largely European.
the shop windows display European
clothing. and the theaters, schools
and public buildings seem too mod
ern for Central Asian city.
Blank Wallis Line Residential Streets
but a short tram ride from the
Russian quarter affords the 'atmos-
phere' Of Tashkent. The traveller
literally rides out OF the modern
into the ancient: from portion Of
the western world 10 portion of
the eastern.
"Many OF the old residential
streets are as brown and dreary as
they we're centuries ago. Brown dust
covers the ground. two brown. dry
mud walls rise high on each side.
and brown dust fills the air. The
walls form the backs OF Tashkcnt
houses and surround large courts.
The street sides OF the houses are
blank. except for doorways at fire.
quent intervals.
Wild Poppy on Roof Tops
Nov and then the upper limbs
Of a lofty poplar rising above the
inner side Of the wall give color to
the drab scenery. II the traveller
is fortunate he may view a flower
ing garden through an open gate.
or he may glimpse a few peoples
peeping over the corner OF house,
top. The peoples grow wild on the
clay roofs OF Tashkent.
1.-THE bulk Of Tashkcnt's $50, 900
Inhabitants are Sarts. sturdy, tan
ned people famed for their love OF
bargaining. in the business streets
and hazaars the native merchants.
the air with sales talk while their
hands and arms assist, so far as
milling throngs permit. Pedestrians
talk In many dialects and shrll
voices OF vendors add to the clamor
Above the din the harsh voice OF
the caravan leader warns pedes-
TRANS are forced 10 stoop. jump and
side step to avoid the freight pro-
truding over the camel's sides or
being trampled under the animals
feet. Tashkent has a railroad. but
the caravan has not been displaced.
Native Costumes Add Color
''The dreary aspect Of the resi-
Dental streets does not apply to the
inhabitants OF Tashkent. The ma
tlves wear bright colored skull
cap. around which turban is some
times wound. and loose fitting coat
OF many colors. Green turbans iden-
tify the Mohammedan mullahs.
Visiting Persians wear hats of kara
kul lambskin which resembles the
fur muffs once popular among
American women.
"A sizzling sun shines down upon
Tashkent and travellers welcome cool
tea rooms in preference to the native
cook shops. While slipping tea. GUS
toners watch the itinerant BARRIERS
shave the heads Of natives. With a
penholderlike instrument and little
water. the hair is removed but the
contortions OF the customers faces
indicate that the Operation is 4
necessity rather than a pleasure"