Scrapbook > From Asia with Love (22)
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Sacred Site
Turkestan, Kazakhstan: The mausoleum of Kozha Akhmed Yasaui (a Sufi teacher and mystical poet/holy man). One of the most sacred sites in Islam. The mausoleum was built by Timur (aka Tamerlane, Tamerlano, Tamburlaine), the great (and bloody) conqueror whose impact on Central Asia is rivaled only by Genghis Khan.
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Unfinished Masterpiece
Turkestan, Kazakhstan: The mausoleum remained unfinished at Timur’s death, and the scaffolding poles remain visible, embedded in the walls.
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Dome
Turkestan, Kazakhstan: The blue tiled dome of the mausoleum—a typical feature of so much of the architecture of the region.
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Mongolian Monastery
Amarbayasgalant Khiid (Monastery), Northern Mongolia.
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Ceiling Decorations
Amarbayasgalant Khiid (Monastery), Northern Mongolia: The painted ceiling of the entrance portico.
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Divine Statuary
Amarbayasgalant Khiid (Monastery), Northern Mongolia: Giant statue of Buddhist deity.
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In Prayer
Amarbayasgalant Khiid (Monastery), Northern Mongolia: Monks praying.
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Desert Trek
Mongolia: Driving through the central Gobi in a typical “Soviet Jeep.”
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Up on the Roof
Gimpil Darjalan Khiid (Monastery), Erdenedalai, Central Mongolia: Detail of Monastery roof.
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Getting Ready to Move On
Kharkhorin, Mongolia: Dismantling a ger (also known by it’s Russian name: yurt—a typical Mongolian nomad’s home/tent. Step 1: The outer wall of canvas is removed, as is the outer layer of felt. A wooden latticed infrastructure is revealed.
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Orange Spokes
Step 3: The felt and fabric from the roof is removed revealing the orange painted spokes which keep the central air/smoke/ventilation aperture in place.
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Down to the Floor
Step 4: Once dismantled, just the flooring is left (usually linoleum overlaid sometimes with small rugs).
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Family Furniture
The furniture, including the central stove/hearth.
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Monastery Walls
Kharkhorin, Mongolia: The walls of the Erdene Zuu Khiid (Monastery); what used to be the capital of Mongolia in Genghis Khan’s day (then called Karakorum). A wall of stupas (structures containing Buddhist relics or religious objects of veneration).
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Buddha
Kharkhorin, Mongolia: Statue of Buddha in Erdene Zuu Khiid (Monastery).
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Ger with a View
Ger at a ger camp on the banks of Terkheen Tsagaan Nuur (the White Lake), Central Mongolia.
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Grand Entrance
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: The entrance to the Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace.
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Courtyard Stroll
Amarbayasgalant Khiid (Monastery), Northern Mongolia: Monk walking between courtyards.
