A Count Down: Uzbekistan

We are now in Uzbekistan’s eastern, famously fertile Fergana valley.

For years, my father told tales of the best fruit of his life: an Uzbek melon. It wasn’t until last spring that I got to taste one for myself.

An insanely juicy, insanely expensive last-of-the-Uzbek-winter melons. Bought for a massive wad of cash at a side-of-the-road shipping container fruit stand.

And shared with the few fellow dwellers of the small guest house I was at— foreigners who didn’t quite understand my excitement or willingness to only eat melon for dinner— as well as the local staff who, unlike the foreign travelers, were delighted and thrilled (and incredulous) that I so willingly shared such prized produce with all around me.

Worth every penny.

🍈 🇺🇿🍈