Our trip was originally planned for a week in Uzbekistan visiting Matt and a week in Turkmenistan visiting our daughter, Megan, a Peace Corps Volunteer who lives in a small village
Small World: Americans in Uzbekistan
by Suzanne Morrison, Branch Librarian, Fargo, ND
Taking a trip to Central Asia is usually a daunting experience, but this trip was particularly interesting as our first day in Uzbekistan we encountered a roadblock at every cross street, truckloads of militia and police stopping and checking vehicles. Our son, Matt, works for Central Housing Foundation doing projects in villages in Uzbekistan, and he was perplexed about it until we learned that suicide bombers were in the Bazaars. Over fifty people were killed and two hundred injured. The unofficial non-governmental organizations grapevine interpreted the bombings as an attack against the police who had shot an old man in the Bazaar the previous week.
During our two week stay we experienced a heavy military presence throughout the country. Returning to our son's apartment the second night, we found the road winding through his complex area blockaded by local police. We were told that no one was allowed to drive or park in that area. The streets are not safe for parking overnight, and Matt did not want to leave his car unattended. The police were adamant and turned away all vehicles. Matt went back to them and explained that he would very much like to introduce them to his special guests: "my mama and my papa from America." After much shaking of hands and sincere greetings, the blockade was magically opened just wide enough for our car to sneak through. Whenever we drove up during the next week, the police quietly inched the blockade open. We found ourselves to be the only car parked within the entire four block area.
Our trip was originally planned for a week in Uzbekistan visiting Matt and a week in Turkmenistan visiting our daughter, Megan, a Peace Corps Volunteer who lives in a small village. Our numerous applications for visas to Turkmenistan were denied. At the last minute, our daughter received a visa to travel to see us. It was a reunion of tears and joy as we had not seen her for nearly twenty months. She said that she knew it was me when she saw a woman dashing through the security lines at the airport and elbowing her way through the armed militia. It was wonderful to see her again.
During our stay in Uzbekistan we traveled throughout the country visiting everything from the archeological sites and ancient mosques to cotton thread and silk plants to villages on the Afghanistan border. Everywhere we were treated with the incredible Uzbek hospitality that makes all guests feel welcome. As we left a guesthouse one morning, our hostess motioned for us to wait for a moment. She dashed into her home, pulled the tablecloth off her table and presented it to us, her esteemed guests.
The night before we left we dined in Tashkent. As we walked into the restaurant I recognized Tony, an attorney from ABA/CEELI that I had met the previous week. We exchanged greetings, and he introduced us to the new guy in town noting that he was from the Dakotas, too. Imagine my surprise when I recognized Bob Van Norman, the former FPD from South Dakota. I worked closely with Bob helping him set up their extensive library in Rapid City. Who would have ever dreamed that our paths would cross in Uzbekistan?!
If anyone dreams of an adventure traveling the Old Silk Road through mountains and deserts, experiencing cities dating back to the first century BC, check out Central Asia and its many charms: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_asia/uzbekistan/ or http://www.advantour.com/uzbekistan.
