Picnics and Barbeques:

Wow, what a spread!!  I chose this subject because these events are done so differently than our traditional picnics in America.  Here you see a friendly gathering of Christians and Moslems at a lake near Saki.  The table is the lush green grass with a plastic table cloth placed over it.  Along the sides of the table cloth are thick blankets and cushions providing a comfortable sitting area well within reach of the food.  Much of the food is prepared ahead of time and the only item brought in any kind of thermos or cooler is the hot water that is used for tea.  There are no plastic cups, plates or utensils and the only paper used are the napkins.  All the dishes, utensils, cups and food are loaded up into the trunk of the car from home.

  On the fire may be a large pot in which a traditional meal from Uzbekistan called Plove (a mixture of rice, carrots and meat) is cooked or fresh slaughtered lamb meat being cooked Shashliek (shishkabob) style.   The men are responsible for the barbequing and it's the one event where I saw the women, once the "table" is set, sit back and relax during cooking time.  The cook brings the food to the table for all to enjoy and is it ever tasty.  In traditional Uzbekistani style, the first bite of Plove is served by the hand (literally) of the host to the mouth of the guest.