I live in Uzbekistan
Things do not always go as planned. After two months of expat preparation, my family has relocated to Uzbekistan. Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, has never been a place where I imagined living for an extended period. After four months of settling into an unfamiliar country, I can now take a moment to reflect on how I started from scratch in a new environment. In retrospect, the first two months were filled with frequent and significant challenges.
English is not widely spoken. Though English is a common language in many countries around the globe, things are considerably different in Uzbekistan. Annexed by Russia in the 19th century and gaining independence in 1991, the official languages here are Uzbek and Russian. Even simple sentences in English are not easily understood by local people. Though a growing number of Uzbeks are learning English, English proficiency is currently very low. To ask questions or give answers, I could only rely on an online translation tool to communicate with locals — and that has been really tough.
Furthermore, limited local language skills can put you at a disadvantage. You might be charged higher prices if you're not proficient in the local language. Unless you can bargain skillfully in Russian or Uzbek, you may end up overpaying and feeling ripped off. I personally found it very difficult to adjust to these circumstances, as I felt helpless when I couldn’t respond to unfair transactions.
People don't smile often, which made it harder for me to adjust. Offering a smile to a newcomer was uncommon. Unlike many Americans, who tend to smile or offer a friendly greeting, Uzbeks typically don’t smile when meeting someone for the first time and rarely exchange warm greetings unless they know the person well. For me, this repeatedly led to feelings of loneliness and being unwelcome.
Driving is also challenging due to tough driving habits. Traffic is horrendous, especially during rush hour. The roads are bumpy, and potholes are common. All these factors terrified my children and me, making us hesitant to drive at first. On top of that, frequent power outages and water supply issues have been a constant source of concern.
All these unfavorable factors prompted me to question whether I had landed in the right place. But, surprisingly, I no longer miss my home country and quite enjoy my new life here. As I have hit my stride, I am beginning to recognize the beauty and value of this country, the gem of Central Asia.
Captivating elements of Tashkent will be shared in my next piece. Until then, I will keep exploring this vibrant city, staying curious in a new world and enjoying every moment of my life in a new home.
The writer (faith0906@gmail.com) loves to weave a story of daily lives and is currently navigating a new life in Uzbekistan.