The Warmth Of The Uzbek People

Now we’re back in civilisation we have the joy of feeling the warmth of the Uzbek people.

As we made our way towards Khiva we were stopped to share melon and take photographs with the locals.

We left our hotel in the morning who gifted us with water for the day.

For dinner we called into a restaurant. We were greeted by a Chelsea football fan! English football is so well known, we often get locals calling out different British football teams or players to us. This gentleman treated us to breads, salad, keifer and gifts for the road – energy snacks, water and chewing gum. All above what we had ordered and we’d already ordered a lot! As we paid up and left an older woman pushed more bread into my hands and offered us a second meal, which I had to decline. We would’ve burst!

We’d cycled all day and as the sun started to drop, the fields of crops showed no sign of ending; we realised we’d need to ask someone to camp on their land.

We went to the nearest cafe and told them with Google translate that we needed a safe place to camp. The gentleman seemed thrilled and rushed around with my phone in his hand sorting…something.

This beautiful family went all out.

He opened the door to a small room and threw down mattresses and pillows. Once sorted we were beckoned into the cafe. We received tea & biscuits, salad and bread. Just as we thought the food was finished we were presented with something like a mince beef pie followed by melon. We were still so full from our meal at the restaurant, but we soldiered on and finished the meal!

Before we turned in for the night we talked with translate, laughed when it didn’t work out and we spoke on the phone to their fluent-English relative who lived in America.

The next morning we were invited to breakfast which was another feast! We went to pay, but the gentleman looked a little confused – he wrote down 35,000 som (£3.00). Stew and I exchanged glances – that wasn’t enough, not for everything they’d done. With a happy heart I pushed 100,000 som (£8.50) to the gentleman, but all 4 adults gasped! They were not going to take it. He took 50,000 som and put his hand to his heart.

We didn’t push, we never do.

I would’ve loved to give them more – or treat the youngest of the family, but I think it’s important not to rob them of a blessing.

Money was not the currency for this exchange; the currency was kindness and an exchange of stories.

We will be forever grateful to them & never forget them.

What do you do in situations like this? Have you ever insisted on paying more and how was it received?