My Dream Destination: Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a country located in Central Asia. Uzbekistan lies primarily between two major rivers called the Syr Darya (also known as the ancient Jaxartes River) to the northeast, and the Amu Darya (also known as the ancient Oxus River) to the southwest. Uzbekistan is bordered by other Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east and southeast, Kazakhstan to the northwest and north, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. The independent republic of Karakalpakstan (also spelled Qoraqalpoghiston) is situated in the western third of Uzbekistan. The Soviet government founded the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic as a union republic of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in 1924. Uzbekistan declared its autonomy from the USSR on August 31, 1991 and the capital is Tashkent (also spelled Toshkent).

When I was in middle school (from 2010-2012), I interacted and made a couple of friends with Uzbek students, which is one reason why I'm willing to visit Uzbekistan and experience the culture with my own eyes. This one girl that I eventually became friends with was from Uzbekistan and she spoke fluent Russian and English. She loved to draw and read, and was mainly quiet, geeky and loyal. Other than meeting a few Uzbek kids at CH Best Elementary and Middle School (where I attendEd junior high school), I also had the amazing opportunity to visit a couple of Central Asian restaurants in the city.

The first Uzbek restaurant that I visited in Toronto was called Taj, which was located in the Eglinton-Dufferin neighbourhood. Unfortunately, it is out of business, but I'm grateful to have visited at least once in my life. The owners of the restaurant were immigrants from Uzbekistan, and spoke fluent Russian and English. I did not speak one word of English during my visit to Taj, which impressed both the customers and the owners. The classic Uzbek plov was the bomb and I also remember "pigging out" on the Kyrgyz flatbreads I enjoyed. They did not just serve Uzbek cuisine; they also served Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Azerbaijani and Georgian cuisine.

Although Uzbekistan looks like a rich, exotic, fascinating and amusing destination to visit, I cannot do everything I desire during my first visit. It is tempting to do the things all at once, but I know that it is impossible to do so. There are a lot of tourist attractions that I want to visit during my first voyage to Uzbekistan, however I’ll only name a bit of them. Hopefully, this will also give you some post-pandemic travel ideas and inspiration, since we are all dreaming of travelling once this is behind us!

1. Visit, walk and relax at the Alisher Navoi National Park in Tashkent

The Alisher Navoi National Park is one of the country's biggest urban parks! It was established by members of the Komsomot organization from Tashkent in 1932. The Soviet name of the park is Komsomolsky, and was built on the site of the quarry of an old brick factory by volunteers. It currently keeps the name of the great medieval enlightener Alisher Navoi. The area of the park's land is 65 hectares, and its lake and network of canals add up to a total of 9 hectares.

The Navoi National Park is situated on Almazar Street, which is one of Tashkent's main spots. The arch of the main entrance is across the street from Beshagach Square. The territory is rich in greenery and vegetation, which includea plants like century-old trees that form a "cobweb" of naturally shady sections, ornamental shrubs and vibrant flower beds that create a quixotic, unique and picturesque atmosphere for guests. A railway that was constructed in 1940 can also be found at the park. In the area in which the railway is discovered, there are also several kid-friendly spots which are supervised at all-times! In the centre of the park, a monument of Alisher Navoi (the world's biggest monument) is installed on a mound under a turquoise rotunda. Alisher Navoi was a popular 15th century Uzbek poet.

The activities that guests can enjoy at the park are cycling, boating, roller-skating, swimming in the lake during the warm seasons, dining at several restaurants and cafes on the shores of the lake, walking around and of course rejuvenate! During my stay at the park, I would swim in the lake, relax with a book, listen to music, meditate by the lake, take photographs of the monument, walk around and grab a bite to eat!

2. Shop and eat at the Oloy Bazaar in Tashkent

The city of Tashkent is dense in merchants markets. The Oloy Bazaar, the Chorsu Bazaar and the Farkhod Bazaar are a few of the most common ones in Tashkent. Since the Oloy Bazaar is the most popular tourist attraction in Uzbekistan, it is often displayed in multiple Uzbek travel and tourism photographs.

The Oloy Bazaar was first established in the 1870's, and was named after the Oloy Mountains. It was during the time in which the Russian Empire was usurping Central Asian kingdoms; Tashkent became the primary city, the Syrdarya Province afterwards, which enabled many Russians to immigrate to Uzbekistan. Many of its immigrants were military males, explorers, doctors and their families, prior to letting other populations settle in old Tashkent. The territory was expanding, which meant that it developed the start of the "New City". After Uzbekistan gained its autonomy, the Oloy Bazaar was carefully rebuilt.

The main entrance is aesthetic and contains beautiful designs. The first section of the bazaar contains a two-story pavilion with boutiques, souvenir kiosks and jewellery stores that sell both local and imported items. Because of the dark-green roof and dim lighting, it looks somewhat dark and uninviting in both the stores and passages. Once visitors exit the pavilion, they will find themselves in a square with a little fountain, in which farmer's markets that sell domestically harvested fruits and vegetables can be found. There are many sections and things to purchase in the market- glossy magazines, mobile phones, nuts/seeds, desserts, flowers, beverages and household goods.

Since I was a child, I've been a huge fan of flea markets. I'm a regular customer of a GTA-based flea market called Downsview Merchants Market, which is located in the North York district of Toronto. Since I'm no stranger to flea markets and more "foreign shopping environments", this would be an ideal excursion for me. I would love to visit the Oloy Bazzar, preferably closer to the end of my trip to Uzbekistan. My method of transportation would either be a taxi or a shuttle bus, depending on how much I can afford on transportation at the time. During my visit to the Oloy Bazaar, I would love to snack on a few of the delicacies, buy some magazines for the plane, purchase some souvenirs to bring home with me, a couple of beverages and some household goods to bring back home with me. If the weather is decent enough, I wouldn't mind spending a couple of hours walking around outside the bazaar in the afternoon, prior to returning to the hotel before dinner.

3. Stay at a classy hotel in Tashkent

The Hotel Uzbekistan has been accommodating guests since 2011. This high-rated, classy and hospitable hotel in Tashkent is just 350 feet away from the Emir Temur Square and is considered one of the "gems of Tashkent, Uzbekistan". Inside this hotel, there are multiple services and amenities such as a fitness centre, a sauna, air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TV's, free parking, free Wi-Fi, restaurants/cafes, mini-bars and awesome transport links that visitors will have access to!

All of the hotel rooms are classically furnished, and the interiors feature dark wooden furniture and fine fabrics. Each bathroom also includes a hair dryer.

The hotel also includes a 24-hour reception desk, non-smoking rooms, hairdressing/spa services and family rooms. The hotel staff are fluent in English and Russian.

During my time at the Hotel Uzbekistan, I would love to get a medicinal massage, workout at the fitness centre, enjoy some food at the Vena Cafe-Bar, read and relax in the garden, shop at the gift shop and of course visit the sauna!

4. Visit and explore the Samanid Mausoleum at the Samanid Recreation Park in Bukhara

The Samanid Mausoleum (aka The Ismail Samanid Mausoleum) is located at the Samanids Recreation Park, which is in the northwestern portion of Bukhara and is one of the most primitive buildings that stands west of the city centre in a park constructed during Soviet times. The Samanid Mausoleum was erected in 892 AD and was believed to be used as the family tomb of the Samanid dynasty (819-1005 AD), who were the successors of a noble Persian family who controlled Transoxiana on behalf of the Abbasid Caliphate, based in Baghdad (the capital of Iraq). The tomb is named for Ismail Samanid (892-907 AD), who was the dynasty's most respected ruler and was often recognized for his virtues and was given public attention by the 11th century Seljuk vizier Nizam al-Muk, who recommended him as "a model of exceptional leadership in his Book of Government".

Since the mausoleum is situated in an actual recreation park, I would have the best chance to do more than just take pictures and meditate by the mausoleum! During my time at the park, I would relax by the pond, read a book, listen to music, eat a snack, drink some water, walk around the actual park, take photographs of both the park and the mausoleum itself and take a nap on the grass. After my peaceful little trip to the Samanid Recreation Park and of course the mausoleum, I would return to the hotel for a little pre-dinner and dessert rest!

5. Discover the Ark of Bukhara

The Ark of Bukhara is one of the oldest structures in Uzbekistan. This phenomenal, palace-resembling and colossal ark was taken over from the 5th century AD to 1920, when it was annihilated by the Red Army. For centuries, the Ark of Bukhara was where the emirs of Bukhara resided. It's about 80% ruins, however there are still some remaining royal quarers that are now housing quite a few interesting museums.

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I have a big passion for ancient history, so visiting and exploring the Ark of Bukhara would be quite purposeful and fulfilling for me. To start off this exciting day trip to the ark, I would take some classy iPhone photographs and post them on Facebook and Instagram, so my friends and family can see this magnificent tourist site I visited in Uzbekistan. After I've walked around outside of the site and taken an ample amount of photographs, I would want to go inside and tour around some of the museums. Since I don't get many of these unique experiences in Canada, I wouldn't mind actually sitting on the throne during my self-tour that I would conduct indoors. Once I've completed my self-tour of the Ark of Bukhara, I would return to the Royal Hotel Bukhara for a pre-dinner rest in my room!