I have been travelling for years. From university backpacking days till recently, I have not experienced more welcoming and friendly people like the Uzbeks. If someone approaches me with a smiling face elsewhere, I would immediately be on guard. It took me some time to return to the warmth of the Uzbeks spontaneously and unreservedly.
I could see very few foreign tourists. It could be because we travelled during the low season (Early April). Snow showers greeted us when we landed in Tashkent. Uzbekistan was still freezing in early April. Uzbekistan is nowhere near the top international tourist destination hot spots. Contrast this with the Italians, in particular residents of Venice, who are tired of the deluge of visitors. The Japanese could not cope, either. But Uzbekistan is refreshingly free from the stress of over-tourism.
Be prepared when Uzbeks walk up and ask you where you are from! They readily pose with or for you and walk away with a wave or smile. Vendors and peddlers do not harass you. Things will change when the country opens further to tap the tourist dollar. Until then, getting direct flights or even flights with convenient connections is challenging.
I present a selection of representative pictures of the Uzbeks I met or stole (as glimpses along the way).
To be continued in Part II.
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
