I have a lazy morning of laying in bed while editing photos and listening to music before heading down to breakfast. We have a free day in the city before taking the train to Tashkent and since we’ve pretty much seen everything we want to see, it’s a chill day. I opt to go back to the bazaar with MK and Rosalie and we have a great time people watching and haggling for snacks and MK’s souvenirs. We sample local sweets and nuts and I chat with a young woman who is painting ceramics by hand. She tells me her father taught her his craft when she was five and she’s been doing it ever since. I wish I could bring back some of her work with me as it’s colourful and beautifully painted. We find a quiet patio beside the mosque to have tea and relax before finding a liquor store to purchase Ismat some “white tea” as a thank you for all his hard work.
Back at the hotel we load our bags into the van and head to the train station. We’re on a high speed train to Tashkent so it’s only a couple of hours, with comfortable seating and even free snacks and tea! Very posh. Ismat points out the “showroom” and when we all look puzzled, he shakes his head with a giggle and says “Washroom. Washroom”. Haha that could get confusing. Upon arriving in Tashkent we drive directly to a fancy restaurant where we have our farewell dinner. A giant platter of meat and potatoes is placed in front of us and we dive in. Ismat gives us each a small gift of a painted ceramic traditional Uzbek and MK delivers a beautiful speech along with our Vodka to Ismat.
Some of the group is leaving late this evening or very early morning so we say our goodbyes and promise to keep in touch. Lena and Matthias tell me if I’m ever in Belgium to let them know as they live in Ghent and have a spare room. Claudia also is generous in her invitation and I’m hoping that I can meet up with her and her husband if they do a road trip through Eastern Canada. I give Ismat a hug goodbye and thank him again. I’ll miss his unique sense of humour and crazy laugh.
Melissa and I end up sharing a room for our last night and after some rearranging of furniture so we’re not sleeping an inch apart we get settled in for the night. We’re flying out within a few hours of each tomorrow night so will spend the day tomorrow with her and MK.
