I am beyond thankful that I got to visit Uzbekistan with DEN. This trip was fulfilling, inspiring, and unforgettable in every possible way. I feel incredibly fortunate to have made lifelong friends not only in Uzbekistan, but within DEN too. The memories, conversations, laughter, and experiences are things I’ll carry with me forever. But before I talk about Uzbekistan, I have to start with Istanbul first. I first landed in Istanbul, waiting for friends from London to arrive. I’ll never forget hearing my name being called out in the airport, it was Negena. The screaming, laughing, hugging, and pure excitement in that moment instantly set the tone for the entire trip. We all piled into the van and, of course, in true fashion; karaoked our entire way down to the Sultanahmet district. Our first stop was the breathtaking Blue Mosque. The architecture was absolutely mesmerizing, and by the time we finished exploring, the evening lights had begun to glow around the city, making everything feel even more magical. Afterwards, we headed out for dinner, and there was something so special about sitting outside with friends, talking, laughing, and soaking in the atmosphere of the city. The night continued with a tram ride around Istanbul, and thanks to Salman, our Istanbul tour guide, our layover became far more memorable than I ever imagined it would be. From sipping fresh pomegranate juice bought from a tiny side street vendor to dancing through the empty streets of Istanbul at 2am just to keep our energy alive, every moment felt unreal. By the end of the night exhaustion finally hit us, so naturally, we ended up playing Mafia. It was chaotic, hilarious, and I definitely utilised my Mafia powers! Before we knew it, we were boarding our next flight to Tashkent. I genuinely think Tashkent is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, and I could write endlessly about it. From the very afternoon we landed, we were constantly out exploring. The days were packed from start to finish, and some nights barely involved sleep at all. Shoutout to the Courtyard for being open 24/7, I don’t think the trip would have been the same without it. One of my favourite experiences was our trip to Samarkand. The entire day felt like stepping into another world. We started by trying authentic Samarkand plov at a local restaurant before wandering through some of the most stunning historical and religious landmarks I’ve ever seen, including the Imam Bukhari Mausoleum, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and the iconic Registan. Every place carried so much beauty and history that it almost didn’t feel real. On top of that, Nurbek absolutely saved the day by showing up with the ultimate party bus, and the journey quickly turned into one huge singalong filled with dancing, laughter, and unforgettable memories. It was easily one of the highlights of the entire trip. I also loved all the little outings and late-night car rides we had almost every day, especially with Negena and I constantly singing our hearts out. And of course, there was Saidamir driving us around through all of our spontaneous outings. Those small moments ended up meaning just as much as the bigger adventures. And how could I forget horse riding? Even getting there was an adventure in itself after our Yandex driver got slightly lost, but eventually we made it. Riding through the open landscape with my friends beside me felt so peaceful and freeing. It was something I had always wanted to do, especially in Uzbekistan, and finally being able to tick it off my bucket list made the experience even more special. Then came the reason we had travelled to Tashkent in the first place: the three-day MUN conference. Somehow, it flew by unbelievably fast. I represented Armenia, and considering it’s not traditionally seen as a dominant powerhouse, I definitely had a lot to say. But beyond the debates and committee sessions, one of the biggest things I wanted from the conference was the chance to connect with new people, and it completely exceeded my expectations. From visiting other committees and sharing lunches with Uzbek students to spontaneous volleyball games together, every interaction felt so genuine and memorable. I met so many incredible people, and I’m truly appreciative of every friendship that came from this experience. We wrapped up the trip with a walk through Seoul Mun, followed by bowling, photo booths, and endless laughter. It was genuinely some of the most fun I’ve had in such a long time. Trips like this really make you reflect on how easy it is to take special moments and amazing people for granted. Being surrounded by such kind-hearted, welcoming people made me feel deeply connected to the country in a way I never expected. Although this trip came with a couple of mishaps along the way, it was truly unforgettable. Packing up to leave felt incredibly bittersweet. One final sit-down in the courtyard, a few last conversations, and suddenly it was time to go. And honestly, I really, really hope I’ll be back someday.
Laiyba Rashid