I traveled the ancient Silk Road from Uzbekistan🇺🇿 to Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬

Auto-captioned from the film, lightly cleaned. Elena's words, not edited prose.

Good morning from Pakistan. We just flew across the world from Paris all the way to Isbekiststan because we are fascinated by the Silk Road and we're going to attempt to travel along it for the next 10 days. That's insane. That's crazy. We are in Usbekistsan on a mission. Partially we just saw it on a map and we were like I have never thought once of traveling there. So anybody was going to bear? No. Most my friends don't even know where it is on a map. So like this is probably a place for us to go, right?

We're also history buffs and I got my masters in Middle Eastern studies. We are here to kind of explore the idea of like east speeding west right here in Central Asia. Exactly. And we're starting off in Bukara, which is one of the major trading hubs back on the peak of the Silk Road. This is like the perfect place to start. We did a little exploring yesterday, but today we're doing like a proper grand tour and really trying to get into like the history of each area. So stay tuned for the next 10 days as we travel along the Silk Road.

We're starting Bkara and then we're taking a train tonight to Samarand and then I believe we train to Tashant where we then fly to Kyrgyzstan. So let's go start the tour and learn about a bukkara. Sounds good. Let's do it. Bye. I've entered into a world of beautiful sounds. For many years back in the day, Bukara was the capital of this region. Along the road over there is where the trading caravans would come and then they'd end up in the middle here. This is kind of like the center place of the trading.

And I just love how you can really feel the spirit of trade here. And you can see the craftsmanship in these vibrant bizaars where there are still handwoven silks and rugs with techniques dating back centuries. The Silk Road wasn't a singular road at all. Actually, it was a vast network of trade routes stretching from China to Europe and Central Asia was at the heart of it all. It began around the 2nd century BC when the Han dynasty and China opened trade with the west. For over 1500 years, goods, ideas, and people flowed through these routes.

Cities like Sarond and Bkar became these powerful hubs of commerce and melting pots of people where Persian, Arab, Turk, Mongol, and Chinese influences all came together. A major turning point came in the 1200s when Gage Khan and the Mongol Empire conquered much of Central Asia, created a unified empire, and made the Silk Road safer and smoother than ever. Despite its name, the Silk Road was way more than just silk. Gold, spices, even ideas like Buddhism and Islam traveled these routes and over time transformed the world. Algebra made its way from the Islamic world to Europe.

Tea flowed from China to Britain. These exchanges even helped spark the European Renaissance by bringing in new knowledge. And none of this would have worked without local people. Usc and Kirkus nomads were essential guides and protectors of caravans. In rugged terrain where camels struggled, local horsemen would lead the way and kept the road moving. It was around the 15th century that the silk road began to decline when the Mongol Empire fractured. But today, its legacy lives on. It's evident in Central Asia's vibrant mix of cultures and traditions and echoed worldwide.

Hello. It is a whopping 95° F taxis. At least this taxi does not have an AC. Now we're on our way to the train station. Very classy. Honestly, very cute train station. If there's not AC in this train station, I'm suing. I also recommend booking in advance because there are different classes and trains. And if you're not like extreme budget traveling, like pay pay extra and get the first class or second class. It's $10. It's like $10. Nothing quite hits like a Coca-Cola. Just feels like I'm on the track. This is nicer than This is nicer than ever.

Never. Are you kidding me? I'm obsessed with this stuff. Speaking came out of nowhere with cold ice cream. Ton of cold ice cream for like 50 cents. I said no. And then I said actually on second thought. She said no. And I said yeah. So we just took the train from Bukar Sakan. It was actually so easy. That's not what I was expecting when it comes to mass transit in Pbakistan. Like look at how beautiful this train station is. Guess how much our taxi is to the hotel. 15 bucks. $1.

I love it here. We love it here. So Marana is about twice the size as Dukara. We'll have a bit more exploring to do which So, we got a bit settled at our hotel and we had to run to the one place that is the most recommended to watch the sunset and that is Reeston Square. I am in awe. Have no words. Look at this. This is insane. I don't think I've seen anything ever this intricate at this scale. Like, it's huge. I feel like we're like being transported back to like the 1200s.

It's crazy. when the mosque breaks out into a dance party. Hey, don't mind if I do. Hello and good morning. Morning. We're very excited because this morning we're getting to meet up with two local gals who are from going to show us around summer con. The best way to visit a new country is when you have locals to show you around because it just takes it to that next level. As tourists, you can do a deep dive on the history, but having a local show you around can actually show you like what it's like to live here today, which I'm equally, if not more curious.

Exactly. So, now we're going to go meet with them at this local mausoleum. Let's go. Hi, guys. Good to meet you. Donna, we've been following your content for such a long time. I know. How fun to be in like beakistan. I know. Born and raised in raised. The parents are from Samaran. When we grow whenever we would visit Samaran, you would come place to places like this, make some a certain donation and then make a wish. It's believed that your wish is going to come true. They have like a very high spiritual power.

And did it work for you guys? Yeah. Yeah. Never see that. We wish it actually came true. Am I going to wish? I know. All right. Should we try? 80ent,000 was spent. I don't think you're really dedicated to our dreams coming true. You only donated 80 cents. Yeah, I would say the diversity element. The country is very diverse and it comes from during the Soviet Union and after the war was Pakistan hosted a lot of refugees. So we're kind of known for being veryospitable. After the war was Ukraine and Russia, lots of expats moved started moving to Tashkan and Samaran.

Is there much like cultural like tension? Maybe religious a little bit, but in terms of cultural acceptance, people are very open-minded. Why we moved is that still for the majority of women your main responsibility in life is to get married then have kids and build a family and it's like a very whole cultural concept. Okay. Where are we right now? We are at the biggest bazar of summer. It's called bazar. It has fruits, vegetables, everything you need. It dates back to the silk road, right? Like this has been around for a very long time.

Yeah. One of the oldest ones as well. You guys want to try some? Yeah. It's just a melon. It tastes like a cantaloupe but like maybe a little bit sweeter. It's really good. Good. That hits the spot. So sweet. It's like filled with sugar. You can try anything. We usually eat it with the salt. It's the sour one. Oh, that is very sour. Does this one have a name? Kultan. Kultan is Pakistan, but even like Russia exports. It's called yubki tomatoes. If you like cut it open, it's so red and so delicious.

I've never I don't cover. Just go for it. Oh, wow. It's so good. Your turn. Yeah. Never have I ever taken a bite. I know. There you go. Oh my god. That's so good. Normally I don't like tomatoes. That's amazing. Of course, you can just really good. Cherries, everything is so much better than American cherry. Smell it. It smells so good. It's called zer. How do you say it in English? Cumin. Yeah, cumin. And we put it in every meal we need. I picked up this mountain tea and it's full of all these like local plants and herbs that they literally picked straight from the mountain.

Jordana was saying, you know, there's no such word as like organic here because truly everything is so fresh and like straight off the farm or in this case off the mountain. Also, this is 20 cents. So, wait, what is this? Pickled vegetables in our culture Korean culture. We have a lot of Korean food. We eat it as a salad. Fun fact, one of Isan's main exports is carrots. And those pickled carrots are absolutely incredible. They're asking us if you guys are single. I the most common question is that if you're married or married only one single son she trying to get married off is her son tall enough can take them back to America take them back they're asking why would you twist your eyebrows if you're not married because in this divide religion you're not supposed to like twist your eyebrows if you're not married I should be having a unibrow this is why all the ladies have such good eyebrow You chew the gum.

Oh, you eat it or you don't eat it? What's the vibe? Really, really sweet gum. M. And slowly the texture becomes thicker like an actual gum. What have you thought so far? I'm overwhelmed with how a how yummy everything is, b how fresh everything is, and there's just so much. This just goes on and on and on and on and on. I'm so grateful for our friends. They're teaching us so much. Just like the average age that someone would get married, 18. It's getting better now. It's especially in the city.

So, people actually do have like love marriages, but 10 years ago when we were leaving the country, almost like 90% of the country would do arranged marriages just like the lady tried to Yeah. Sage almost got married. was progressive like our dad kept saying us from the our young age that oh you guys need to get an education and then you'll do whatever you want and there's a huge split in the society like people like top 5 10% who are educated building businesses and the majority like 90% are still living in what ways have you seen the country change positively surprised very open very cultured lots of expats and so many opportunities for like small and midsized businesses a lot of people started moving back like a lot of us started moving back from The US detach skin can a very famous traditional soup called mustava has lamb in it and bunch of vegetables like everything we tried at the bazar.

The cubin they put a lot of spices and they steam it for a long time. Oh, that's incredible. It's so like cozy and homey. The chicken noodle soup, but the local version. And it was back chicken noodle soup. Chicken noodle soup. And the journey continues. After a train ride or two and a short flight, which yes, I guess is kind of cheating. We're continuing our journey along the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan. Hello. Good morning from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. And we're about to leave on a 5-day track throughout the wilderness of Kyan.

Me, too. I'm feeling very ready for some nature, for it not to be 100° out. We have a tour guide for this. Let's go. You're so big for this horse. For horses, not too tall, but it's good for mountain. Oh, so we're resorting to the iPhone because it's a bit difficult to film on a horse. Let's go. what Sage and I were saying. Well, it was amazing going to the cities where the Silk Road went through in Usbekistan to see like, you know, the ancient bizars and the different places where the caravans went.

There's something about being on the trails out in the wilderness that like just like allows your imagination to run wild. Kind of like put yourself in the shoes of like the merchants and the tradesmen and all the different people who traveled along the Silk Road. Oh, my horse keeps getting tired. Come on, yala. I can't believe how absolutely beautiful Kyan is. really happy to be here. Is replacing me. Hello from our yurt along Sonul Lake in this beautiful vast expanse of fields and sloping hills and you see these snowy mountains off in the distance.

But thank goodness for it because we went up a lot in terms of elevation gain and have dinner. There are a few other travelers. We're only Americans we've met between here and Beckistan and I'm really grateful to be here. After taking the horses back down the mountain, we're heading on a multi-day road trip to see more of Kyrgyzstan, which there will be a more extensive YouTube video coming soon. And today, we're driving about a 4-hour drive to see one more historical Silk Road site. It's time for a little taste of the Silk Road in Kystan.

And we're currently at a UNESCO World Heritage site that says the world heritage site of the ancient settlement of Barana. Barana. I thought it was Barata at first and I was like, "Wow, good one." Jeez, bummer. This has probably lost all its funding. Sorry. US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. Something tells that didn't make the doge cut in in Kistan. There was not a great city like insist. Most we had the nomadic tribe. Howdy from the great Bara Tower aka Barana Tower. This tower similar to Bkara was used as part of a mosque.

But it was also the watchtowwer because I had the highest vantage point. So travelers coming from super super far could see like fire at the top of the tower and they knew that was their sign they were heading in the right direction. Okay, Elena left me. So I guess I'll just be the history teacher today. Here I am. I'm going to pass off the mic to Sage because I was a little tired. I had my coffee yet. So I took notes on everything that Aman told us. So along the Silk Road, we had goods such as wine, gunpowder, iron going all the way from China sometimes to Rome, which is insane.

That is a very long distance. This area specifically, they didn't have that many goods to offer like the Kiras tribe, but they provided a safe passageway. They're basically like nomatic crossing guards. Kyrgystan doesn't have surviving ancient cities in the way that Usbekistsan does. Like Usbekiststan still has like Sarcon and Bkhara. Most of the ancient cities here haven't really survived the test of time. But also, our guide made the really important point that most cities in this area were not even Kyas. Kyus people are truly nomads and they didn't really congregate in cities until the USSR came in the last like 150 years.

The curious people were up in the mountains. They were hurt in their sheep, their horses, their cows. And I think that just makes this area really distinctive and so interesting from a historical perspective. So Lena, I'm handing the mic back to you. Wow, look at that. We have a historian on our hand. Thank you. Thank you. It's fascinating to see and kind of imagine all the different travelers who have crossed through these planes and through these different cities. And now here we are doing in the modern day to see how we're all quite connected after all, aren't we?

Okay, what's next? I don't know. Let's go find out.