In a trip that covered Shymkent, Turkistan, Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, it was the last one that managed to etch something that is impossible to erase in my mind. The beauty of Bukhara is difficult to explain, no matter the medium. If I were to return to any of these cities, and I really hope […]
A Guide to Bukhara: A Tale of Islamic Scholars and Caravansaries Read More »
You likely have not had the pleasure of reading specifically about the cemeteries of a country you may or may not intend to visit so far. Not many people seem to enjoy visiting and writing about these ‘creepy’ places, but I do. It is such a sobering experience that I try do it as much
The Land of the Dead: Exceptional Cemeteries of Uzbekistan Read More »
When asked what people think of Karimov, and why it seems like he is already old news, an Uzbek friend of mine told me that the “old king is dead, and now all hail the new king.” This blunt comment made me think about Uzbek politics more than I did up until that point. Despite
A Clash of Tamerlane and Karimov: Which Cult of Personality? Read More »
When I booked my tickets to visit Uzbekistan for the first time in December, I got some comments from my friends who questioned my decision to visit it at the dead of winter. I was hoping that they would be wrong about cold temperatures, dreadful winds, and even snowstorms. I mean, what can possibly go
Oases in December: Is Visiting Uzbekistan in Winter Worth It? Read More »
To those unaware of how easy it is to transit from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan by land, it may look like a daunting task at first. Fear not, as I will now go over how to do this trip, and in both directions no less! It is significantly cheaper to fly to Shymkent rather than Tashkent
Crossing the Border Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Essentials to Know Read More »