An Uzbek Dinner

When the kids and I are out for walks and when Craig waters his small tomato garden out front, we get to meet some of the local folks around us.  We have met a couple of actual neighbors, but since most of the houses are walled and gated around us, we mostly meet driver's, guards, and housekeepers.  That is just fine with us, as most of these folks are truly kind people who are so warm toward all of us.  Last week a driver, Murat, invited us to him home for dinner.  It was quite the experience, and mostly a very, very good one.  Murat was called away for two hours in the middle of the meal to work, so we used every bit of Russian we know we the extended family.  We were humbled by the feast prepared for us, their guests.

Our feast -- before the meal was served

Murat's mom and wife

Breaking the bread -- always a job for the men

Stretching the noodles for the laghman

More noodle stretching

My boys with the whole family.  This is all the food still remaining after we ate.