As you may know, I am trying to develop a textile importing business featuring traditional handicrafts ethically produced and adapted for the Western market. Having fallen in love with the suzani and ikat of Uzbekistan and the fused silk & wool of Kyrgyzstan, I am returning to increase my inventory as I prepare for the holiday season and the launch of online sales (placeholder site is caravanthology.com). And things are looking up: Uzbekistan is no longer the lowest overall ranking country on the World Bank's ease of doing business evaluation. (That honor now goes to Eritrea.) It's now 141 (just ahead India) out of 189! But Uzbekistan has guarded its position with respect to trading across borders: it's still at 189. Way to go, Uzbekistan!
When I head out on October 11, I'll transfer through Istanbul where I meet up with my traveling companion, Sue, the older sister of my childhood friend, who shares my curiosity and willingness to travel to -- shall we say -- more unusual places. Mentored by the wonderful Penelope Price (www.uzbekjourneys.com) who organized the tour of my first visit, all of our local arrangements have be secured by the Tashkent travel agency she has worked with for many years. With the services of Penelope's favorite guide, Mirza, we will follow an itinerary I have designed for the next 16 days: a day in Tashkent, eastward to the fertile Fergana Valley, then to the far Western province of Karalkalpakstan where the fabulous Savitsky Collection of Uzbek art and Russian avant garde paintings in Nukus. Then the classic stops on the Silk Road: Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand before a final few days in Tashkent. With feedback from Sue and Mirza, I am thinking about offering a small group tour in 2016 so I can share this amazing part of the world with others. Of course, part of the time while Mirza is guiding Sue, I will be visiting with producers and buying scarves, shawls, cushion covers, handbags, table runners and....
When I head out on October 11, I'll transfer through Istanbul where I meet up with my traveling companion, Sue, the older sister of my childhood friend, who shares my curiosity and willingness to travel to -- shall we say -- more unusual places. Mentored by the wonderful Penelope Price (www.uzbekjourneys.com) who organized the tour of my first visit, all of our local arrangements have be secured by the Tashkent travel agency she has worked with for many years. With the services of Penelope's favorite guide, Mirza, we will follow an itinerary I have designed for the next 16 days: a day in Tashkent, eastward to the fertile Fergana Valley, then to the far Western province of Karalkalpakstan where the fabulous Savitsky Collection of Uzbek art and Russian avant garde paintings in Nukus. Then the classic stops on the Silk Road: Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand before a final few days in Tashkent. With feedback from Sue and Mirza, I am thinking about offering a small group tour in 2016 so I can share this amazing part of the world with others. Of course, part of the time while Mirza is guiding Sue, I will be visiting with producers and buying scarves, shawls, cushion covers, handbags, table runners and....