Mom and I kicked off the day with that early-morning buzz, hopping the Afrosiyob high-speed train from Tashkent to Samarkand — Uzbekistan's bullet on rails. If you're picturing a slow chug through the desert, think again: this beast zips at up to 250 km/h, turning a 300+ km trek into a smooth 2-hour joyride (okay, ours took about 2.5 with stops). We snagged economy seats for around 25 bucks each — total steal for comfy recliners, AC blasting against the heat, and free WiFi to spam stories en route. Pro move: book online via the Uzbekistan Railways app or sites like Afrosiab Travel; trains run multiple times daily (like 7 AM, 8 AM departures), but weekends sell out fast. Felt like we blinked and bam — ancient Silk Road vibes incoming.
Touched down in Samarkand and cabbed straight to our digs: El Madina Hotel, tucked right in the heart on that bustling Bahodir Street, just 650 meters from the city center. We went budget-ish (rooms hover around $95/night, way cheaper than fancy spots but punches above its weight). Walked in expecting basic, but whoa — the lobby's decked out like a mini museum: walls dripping with traditional Uzbek suzani tapestries, antique samovars gleaming under modern lights, and racks of colorful chapan robes just hanging like art. It's got that fresh fusion feel — old-school charm meets sleek design. Our room? Massive, spotless, with killer AC, fluffy beds, and a balcony overlooking the buzz below (sorry, no pics this time — mom's got 'em, I'll snag for next post). Staff were legends: hooked us up with early check-in, fresh fruit platter on arrival, and insider tips on hidden cafés. Breakfast buffet's a highlight too — think plov, fresh non bread, and endless chai. If you're heading this way, book it — 25-min stroll to Registan means no taxis needed, and the friendly vibes make you feel like family.
After dumping bags, we crashed for a quick recharge (jet lag's real, even on trains). Tomorrow's the big one: diving into Registan Square, that epic trio of madrasahs from the 15th century — Ulugh Beg's star-gazing school, Sher-Dor's tiger mosaics, and Tilla-Kari's gold interiors. It's basically the heartbeat of Samarkand's Silk Road glory, where traders swapped spices for secrets back in the day. Visitor hack: go at dawn for empty pics or sunset for that golden glow; entry's about 50,000 sum (~$4), and audio guides are clutch for the history dump. Then, we're hitting Siab Bazaar — the chaotic, colorful market exploding with fresh figs, saffron piles, handmade ceramics, and those embroidered skullcaps (doppi) that scream souvenir. Bargain hard for atlas silk scarves or rock sugar candies; it's a feast for the senses (and stomach — don't skip the street samsa).
Samarkand's already got us hooked — ancient wonders wrapped in modern ease. More dispatches coming as we wander.
I write my texts myself, correct mistakes and translate via ChatGPT (which is not a violation on Hive)!
All photos were taken by me personally - I am a beginner photographer, so I ask professionals not to judge strictly.
Thank you for sharing these moments with me! Until new stories and new holidays! ✌️
Camera 📷: Sony Alpha 7 IV full-frame
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 70-200mm F: 2.8 GM OSS II
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 20-70 mm F: 4 G
Processed 🛠: Lightroom
photo by openai
