Day 141 (Uzbekistan): Olot - Buchara (tower makes me gloat)

daily distance: 82m
total distance: 8879km
riding time: 5h

I set out from Olot … the riding was uneventful. Safe for the wind. It was … I will spare you what I thought. It was just bad. Just take a look at these pictures instead.

When I drew closer to Buchara I had to think back about the city when I first visited. What I do remember most is the tower that stands in the center of town. Sure enough, you come to the city and it was the first thing I saw. It put a big gloat on my face. Not just a smirk, but a big, big smile. For some reason, this view made me happy and part of it had to do with overcoming the last few days, including today. Here is what I saw … tower in the center, way in the back …

Just as I arrived in the city, a car stops next to me. Two men inside. I wasn’t in the mood for much chatting, but it turns out that they had seen me trying to buy some water, with the owner overcharging quite a bit. I left. They said: “We saw what happened, it was not fair. But we thought that you need some water.” I was floored. “You came all the way?” “We are from Afghanistan, that’s what we do.” They drove off before I could say much more.

I then met up with Feruz’s brother. Feruz is a student of a former professor of mine, who likes bikes himself (the professor that is) and who thought that he would pass on my being here to his post-doc student. Feruz himself was not there yet, just made his way from Tashkent (an 8-hour drive) and as I found out, did this just so that he knew I was doing well and in good hands. I was pretty speechless. Furkat and I met up and with the help of a translator (who was also pulled in for this), they got me to a hotel (a nice one, really) and after some food we toured the city a bit.

It was marvellous and so much more than I could have expected. Such as the big stack of food and drinks that was placed in the hotel room while I was out. Fresh grapes, bread, melon and the like. Thank you so very much … it is now time to take some rest in Buchara.