Uzbekistan reignited my passion for travel. It is some time since I visited somewhere that felt genuinely new and exciting. This was my first trip to Central Asia and as my flight closed in on Tashkent, I imagined myself exploring the region. The flight map showed so many unknown and enticing place names.

Given that the wisdom of my decision to travel alone was questioned by many of my (well travelled) colleagues, I was not expecting to feel so completely safe and comfortable. I found the people to be inquisitive, open and full of good vibes. Many of the people I met were desperate to communicate and kept talking in Russian or Uzbek way beyond me indicating that I had no knowledge of either language. Rapid Russian/Uzbek was kept company by lots of hand gestures.

I asked one of the people I had a meeting with whether it was possible to tell the difference between an ordinary car and a taxi. He laughed and said 'every car is a taxi in Tashkent'. It's true. I tried it. You only need to stand at the side of the road with your arm extended and down for a very short time before someone stops for you. It's an inexpensive and fun way of getting around the city. One of the drivers who stopped for me chatted away in Uzbek as the car stalled at every single junction we stopped at. His car must have thirty years old if it was a day.

It's possible to visit Samarkand in a day from Tashkent though it makes for a long day (three and a half hours each way by express train). The train journey was amazing because so many people 'hosted' me, bringing me tea and biscuits and, on the return journey, large volumes of neat vodka served from a pretty tea cup.

Skiing may not be an activity you associate with Uzbekistan but they do have ski resorts about 60 miles from Tashkent and more are planned. Check out http://www.orexca.com/ski_snowboard...kistan.shtml