"Wow! I Didn't Know It Could Be THIS Bad" Dushanbe by Greatwalk0

Traveling predominantly in Southern and Eastern Europe and Africa (where we stay in very posh hotels) it is easy to get spoiled. Tajikistan smacks you in the face and brings you back to reality.

Amongst other things (corrupt police, etc.) one of the challenges I faced in Dushanbe was frequent power outages (often lasting several hours) and contaminated water in my hotel room. Electricity I can live without. Water? Now, that's another story.

Travelers will find a certain charm in the backwoods of Tajikistan, but I do strongly advise that this place is only for the extremely flexible and understanding.

Enjoy ...

Yummmm ... Good shishkabobs!

One of Dushanbe's saving graces is some great sashlique! With numerous restaurants scattered across the city, you will not be disappointed if you are a carnivore.

Here I am with some of our project's staff enjoying a long lunch on a Friday afternoon.

Giant statue of Somoni in downtown Dushanbe

Tajikistan is still very much authoritarian and communist. Private citizens cannot own land and the state controls virtually everything. This makes for an interesting trip. In Dushanbe, one can easily appreciate what it must have been like living behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

• Pros:Take a step back behind the Iron Curtain
• Cons:Almost everything else