Hitchhiking in Uzbekistan: Tashkent

7^th to 13^th of January, 2023.

Hitchhiking in Uzbekistan,

Even though I didn’t hitchhike to Tashkent, it was thankfully to hitchhiking that I met Yulduz and her family. And I will be always grateful to the universe, and to the art of hitchhiking for that.

I have no words to describe my time with Yulduz, Lobar and their family. It still looks like a dream. I cannot believe how luck was I for having this opportunity. For me, it is like they are my own family.

They live in a beautiful and spacious house. I finally meet Java, a really tall boy for his only 16 years old. I will share the room with Lobar. The boys sleep in another room.

The first night we have some delicious Dimlama (vegetables over cooked with meet), Olivier salad and Manti. Everything is so delicious and I eat a lot! And there is even pie for desert! I feel like I will explode!

Sunday, after an amazing breakfast, Lobar and Java take me to the city. We go to the Bazaar and after to the Magic City. The Bazaar is massive! I believe you can find everything here. We have lunch at a nice café, where they have mushroom samsas. But by the time we get there, they are already finished. So sad! I have potatoes samsas instead. They are terrific! After lunch we go to The Magic City. It is a very cute place, all vintage buildings and a lovely castle. Plus, a beautiful park! We get very tired after that and head back home.

The Metro Stations in Tashkent are quite beautiful! They remind me the ones in Moscow.

I start practicing the IELTS speeches and text tasks with Java. His writing is incredible! I help only a little bit and I am sure he will get at least a 7 on his exam. His speaking is also good but he just need more practice.

The relationship between Lobar and Java is beautiful! It is incredible how the fact that having a sister makes Java a different type of boy, more sensitive and aware of how to deal with a girl. But also, the relationship of Yulduz with the three of them is great. I think she is a wonderful mother. Culture and traditions a side, of course. Because I just cannot understand / agree with what the women / young girl have to do / be according to Islam. It is so unfair!

 

Everyday we have some delicious food! Manti, Shurpa, Plov. Oh Dear, Loki! Lobar bakes the most delicious apple-lemon pies ever! And I can’t stop eating them! Yulduz prepares some delicious eggs with a pickle tomato sauce for breakfast! And we also have lots of chocolates and candies. I have the most amazing time!

The days are very relaxed. The children are on vacation from school, so we sleep until 9 a.m. or later. We chat and have lots of fun during the day and evening. We also play some card games and “Head’s Up”. Yulduz also join us and she is a genius on playing cards!

One evening, some guests come over. Lobar, Yulduz and me have lots of fun in the kitchen, cooking and preparing everything, while Bahron entertain his relatives. I am so relieved when the three of us, plus Jony and Java, can eat by ourselves in another room.

Yulduz is so sweet and she wishes I would stay longer. I show them a bit of my travel photographs and Brazilian culture. Also, I show them about Workaway website, so perhaps in the future they could have somebody else coming to practice English with the children.

My flight is at 2.40 in the morning! We leave the house around 9 p.m. It is – 22 Celsius! Yulduz and Lobar give me some Plov and apple-lemon pie for my journey. Plus, chocolates! Yummy! And one lovely t-shirt from Uzbekistan. I love it!

The girls walk with me inside the Airport and the goodbye is really sad. I try to say everything I want to them and I think that this time I was succeed.

P.S.: if you are watching this video, please activate the audio. You will hear my little sister Lobar saying – “And then I do this….” – while kicking the tree which I am under it 😂