Despite beginning my journey with quite high expectations of what may greet me upon my arrival, I was quickly shaken by just how incredible my experience was going to be. My Uzbek friends had made me aware of how hospitable the people are, and just how beautiful the country is, so I had anticipated some truth in their comments. My journey began in Mile End. I was greeted with breakfast and good company, and a solemn glee in leaving behind my siblings and friends, regardless of how short my departure would last. I was excited but so very nervous. I tend to panic when faced with situations like long travels, paranoia strikes and suddenly I find myself in a dream of losing my passport or having my suitcase stolen. It’s all a bit silly when I take a step back and realise I may have exaggerated the severity of the situation. My time in Uzbekistan is a memory that shall stay deeply embedded within my conscience. I don’t think I have ever laughed that much in 9 days. Every day was so much more hectic than the last. I believe the earliest I woke up was 5:30 am, and on that very day, I rested my head upon my pillow at 3 am. From approaching incoming traffic on electric scooters to risking my life on foreign roads, we managed to fit countless adventures into a mere few days. My favourite day was our day trip to Samarkand.
My parents are very interested in Islamic history, and that city was brimming with stories and relics of the ancient world. I found myself marvelling at the scenery. The architecture was incredible, the wildlife was vivid, and the moon that lit up the night sky only felt a reach away. The sole purpose of our trip, aside from experiencing a new country, was to take part in a Model United Nations. Obviously, I knew of the UN thanks to my degree and my interest in Politics, yet I had never taken part in an MUN nor was I aware of the structure. The first day gave me time to get used to it, and eventually I found myself getting involved as if I had all the experience in the world. It felt so refreshing to be in a room full of bright, enthusiastic people. They really helped me to come out of my shell. Every day of the MUN was full of arguments and disagreements, but at the end, we shook hands and congratulated each other on our ability to talk. If it weren’t for the people I encountered in those few days, I would have never been able to argue my mouth off over topics I know so little about. Overall, I am very grateful to have had the wonderful opportunity to meet new people and experience a culture I had only heard about in anecdotes. Uzbekistan is a country that I would love to revisit, and I shan’t leave until every city is explored, every dish is tasted, and every stone is left uncovered.
Suheyla Coskun