(...)
We then walked along some back streets so as to visit the "atelier" of a well known chess piece maker. Upon having walked into its courtyard we were welcomed by the young daughter of the artist, who almost immediately got engaged in preparing us some tea, which she soon served the Uzbek way accompanied by some sweets (possibly the best assorted ones I had in Bukhara).
What followed was a lesson of professionalism, as the artist sat at the lathe having the wood beam turned, measured, cut and whichever required operation it had to go through till the final objects (pawns, bishops and horses) came out of his hands in an almost magic spell. He ignored our presence, not having looked at us one singe time as if he were alone with his artistry, in which he displayed extreme accuracy, precision and swiftness.
The complete chess sets were stunning with unimaginably vibrant colours and though I didn't risk buying any, I was glad when I realised that at least two of those were travelling to Western Europe, where they would certainly be thoroughly looked at and their author praised beyond no doubt.
We had dinner out at a local restaurant which seen from the outside didn't look at all like the open restaurant overlooking the old city area we walked into, the moment we climbed up to the first floor. It was something completely "out" ... different from what one would call normality. Food was more than excellent, though I was mostly concentrated on the piano sound that came from an inner room just close to where we were sitting. Brilliantly played the classical pieces kept on filling our senses.
What a beautiful ending to a rather enriching day religious and culturally speaking.
Our guide Saudat (left) and Nathalie (right).
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