Silk Rout er Diary by Debanjali Ray [Hardcover]

"Upon opening the dictionary, I found that the word 'Steppe' means 'prairie'. While the word 'prairie' sounds pleasant, in reality, it is quite harsh, especially if it is the vast steppes of Central Asia. History tells us that during the Iron Age and the Bronze Age, nomadic communities developed human civilization here. However, nature is harsh. There are only the Amu Darya, the Syr Darya rivers, and the Aral Sea (lake), with only pasturelands and vast steppes. Thus, civilization moved to Europe and East Asia, leaving behind a mixed race resembling European and Mongolian features and some countries. Russia sometimes accepted them, and sometimes did not. Yet, the love for these rugged lands, part of the historic Silk Route, continues to captivate. Therefore, I set out again with The Roadyssey to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Another surprise is that after almost four years, I will meet Gulshada again. My heart is brimming with excitement. Does Gulshada still reminisce while looking at the sunset behind Suleiman Mountain? She doesn’t know that I’ve written an entire essay about her! All in all, this is not just a regular travel story but a daily chronicle of the lives of the people there."