Notwithstanding
the wonderful historic architecture and sense of history, it is the people of
Uzbekistan more than anything else that really captures our sense of the
country and leaves us with warmest memories.
Friendly, energetic, funny and filled with warmth and hospitality, these
people who have suffered so much under cruel and uncompromising rulers and
who live so close to the poverty line, seem ready to take their natural place as
hosts to foreign investors and tourists who will inevitably visit this fine
land.
This
is a country of gene-driven merchants and traders where everything is for sale at
a negotiated price. Bargaining is a
way of life. It is friendly and
fun. The madrassahs and
caravaniseri (covered markets) of old are now all places where everything is for sale from people,
most of whom have wide friendly gold-toothed smiles.
We
ask people if they were better off in Soviet times and the answers are mixed.
Some are nostalgic for the security, safety and better standard of living
of the good old days of Communism. Others
accept that times have changed and they are embracing and adjusting to the new
capitalistic order. All ordinary
people are suffering from dramatically lower incomes and living standards. But we get a sense that food is plentiful and generally
available at very low prices.
The natives are friendly and the prices are right. You will feel very comfortable and unthreatened in this new and exciting country teetering on the edge of entry into the new world order.