I don’t get much sleep yet again and my eyes are bloodshot and feel like they’re filled with sand. I’ve had some serious sleeping issues this trip. Sometimes I don’t know how I’m functioning and also surprised I haven’t gotten sick since everyone else has and I’m rundown.
We head down for breakfast and have a leisurely meal before walking to the Chorsu Bazaar. This bazaar is immense and I’m overwhelmed by the sights and smells. So much fresh produce, meats, cheeses, nuts and dried fruit! And it’s so inexpensive compared to home. We spend an hour in the meat and cheese pavilion watching locals shop. Butchers are hacking at large chunks of beef with axes, women are mixing vats of cheese and bazaar employees push loaded carts full of shoppers’ purchases to their vehicles. We move on and see stalls with hundreds of bras and underwear hanging from the ceiling (no trying on for size here), a nursery section and my favourite area; the bread making and bakery pavilion. We’re offered a taste of bread straight out of the “oven” and it’s divine. The dough is shaped into flat, round patties and stuck to the inside walls of the clay ovens that are heated with gas. Hundreds of balls of dough are resting on the table and the whole family is involved in either making the bread or stacking it in a baby carriage for transport to the bakery area.
We find fresh samosas and have a seat at a table with our snack. We’re the only locals and although it’s busy, the men don’t sit with us which I’m guessing is because it’s not proper. Before leaving, I haggle for some fresh tea and a bar made out of pistachios and honey.
After a couple wrong turns we locate the metro station to take us to the main square that is supposed to have an ornately decorated station. We manage to find our way even though we need to change trains to reach our stop. Some of the train cars are packed with people and at one point, all I can see of MK is the bun on top of her head. We locate the infamous Hotel Uzbekistan with it’s unique architecture and Sailgokh St where locals visit in the evening to play ping pong and ride fair rides.
It’s our last dinner with the remains of our group and Padraig, Melissa, MK and I find a local spot for a meal. We reminisce about the trip, what could be improved and what we really enjoyed, and how lucky we were to have had the opportunity and means to visit Uzbekistan. MK leaves to check in to her new hotel and it’s just Melissa, Padraig and I left. Melissa airport transfer arrives at 9pm and before she leaves she says to me (and I’m paraphrasing here), “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you. Watching you connect and converse with the locals was so inspiring, I’ve decided I want to be more like you. Your ability to talk to anyone is really amazing.” Wow, what a lovely thing to say! She’s one of the nicest people with infinite patience. I really enjoyed her company and getting to know her. We promise to keep in touch and hopefully meet again.
My airport transfer arrives at midnight and with that, my adventure comes to an end. Until next time…
