[Seth_Rose]

Hey guys. Prosal made his first post about Tashkent, so I'll make it mine too haha.

Prosal and the Duke together did a pretty good job describing the place, but I'll hop in this thread and try and answer any questions that come up. For now just a rambling of my thoughts.

I'd like to make note that in the 3 months I spent there this past Spring, I saw only two tour groups. Yes, two tour groups. And I went out literally every weekend around town during the day. One was a contingent of about 30 Indian men down at Chorsu Bazaar (biggest market in Tashkent), wonder why they were in Tashkent?? The other was perhaps a dutch group I saw on the metro.

I really don't see this place getting "exposed" anytime soon. The visa process is a hassle, it is geographically isolated, and most people don't know jack shit about Uzbekistan. Even if people do decide to start traveling there, they will first visit the Silk Road cities (which I HIGHLY reccomend). On top of that, the city is bereft of Western influence. Although English will now be taught in primary school, English speakers are rare (get ya Russian game up boyyyy!). I was stunned that in the time there I saw no McDonalds, rather there was King Burger. Yes, KingBurger (they have no concept of Intellectual property rights). I did see a Subway once though... President Karimov does a good job of keeping all that stuff out, and even if he does pass away, I don't see Western influence flooding in right away.

One thing about the nightlife is that there are no strips of bars, rather they are spread around the city. Fairly inconvenient, so pick one spot for the night. If you want to hop around, again, like Prosal mentioned take a "gypsy" cab.

I thought Tashkent was a charming city, but maybe it's because I just like the off the beaten path destinations... I fell in love with the people there who were super friendly (even the police were nice haha), the food, and just the city itself. I definitely plan on going back in the next 5-10 years, maybe to even take me an Uzbek bride.

[Prosal]

(06-06-2013 10:09 AM)Seth_Rose Wrote:  

One was a contingent of about 30 Indian men down at Chorsu Bazaar (biggest market in Tashkent), wonder why they were in Tashkent??

Happy to see a "pioneer". Some other guys here (Vorkuta, Duke, Partizan - and surely some others, I don't know everyone here) have also this spirit, and like you, prefer the off the beaten path destinations - especially if it's in FSU ))

About indians, there is, oddly enough, many indian/paki sex-hungry mongers in Tashkent (and also turk for that matter). They all congregate in the same hoes clubs, so they are not really a problem.

[Seth_Rose]

(06-06-2013 10:37 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(06-06-2013 10:09 AM)Seth_Rose Wrote:  

One was a contingent of about 30 Indian men down at Chorsu Bazaar (biggest market in Tashkent), wonder why they were in Tashkent??

Happy to see a "pioneer". Some other guys here (Vorkuta, Duke, Partizan - and surely some others, I don't know everyone here) have also this spirit, and like you, prefer the off the beaten path destinations - especially if it's in FSU ))

About indians, there is, oddly enough, many indian/paki sex-hungry mongers in Tashkent (and also turk for that matter). They all congregate in the same hoes clubs, so they are not really a problem.

Definitely. I feel like a lot of guys here are like that too. I happened to get an offer to go out there and took it without hesitation.

As for the Indians I knew what they were up to haha, I was trying to be sarcastic but failed.

[The Duke]

One reason for the Indians is that Tashkent is pretty close to India. The flight from Delhi to Tashkent is cheap and only like 3.5 hours. I know because that's the flight I took!

I had trouble understanding the process of getting a visa. I was in India, and every Indian travel agent gave me a different story about how to get one. I finally got through the Uzbekistan Embassy in Delhi and learned the true procedure. You can get your visa done same day if you are in Delhi. My hotel handled my invitation letter for me.

[Prosal]

(06-06-2013 11:13 AM)Seth_Rose Wrote:  

As for the Indians I knew what they were up to haha, I was trying to be sarcastic but failed.

Yeah, there is a reason why Indians mongers come to Tashkent ) (nice trait of humour, sorry I have been obtuse on this one)

I've never realised that Tashkent was so close to Delhi.

[Fortitudinal]

Tashkent struck me as a really nice place, friendly. Mind you, I was there 20 years ago, before the collapse, so things were a little different.

At least its warm and sunny there, not like this god forsaken weather in Toronto...

[Prosal]

(06-07-2013 10:47 AM)Fortitudinal Wrote:  

At least its warm and sunny there

Because of the blessed climate, to relocate or retire in Tashkent was, during the Soviet era, a gift.

The fruits are out of this world in Uzbekistan BTW.

[The Duke]

One thing I remember is that locals identified me as a foreigner just by looking at me. For example, when I used the metro, the police stopped me the FIRST (and only) time I used it. When I was walking down a street local girls seemed to know. I would get a lot of stares.

Even though Tashkent is racially very diverse, they could pick me out as a foreigner. I have dirty blond hair, so I could be ethnically Russian, right? Somehow, maybe from my clothes or hairstyle, people in Tashkent seemed to know I was foreign. I compare this to 6+ months in Ukraine where I seemed to blend in more.

[Prosal]

(06-08-2013 04:50 AM)The Duke Wrote:  

Even though Tashkent is racially very diverse, they could pick me out as a foreigner. I have dirty blond hair, so I could be ethnically Russian, right? Somehow, maybe from my clothes or hairstyle, people in Tashkent seemed to know I was foreign. I compare this to 6+ months in Ukraine where I seemed to blend in more.

In my experience, it's the same everywhere in EE and FSU. People spot IMMEDIATELY that you are a foreigner, whether you are blonde or dark-haired.

[Seth_Rose]

^^ Same thing with me.

I noticed that the Uzbek men always dressed really well. Shined dress shoes, crisp jeans or dress pants and a nice shirt. Despite being relatively poor, they may purchase one or two nice outfits and where them all the time.

I wore sneakers a lot, which is a rarity among the locals. Also, during colder times all the guys had leather jackets.

[Aliblahba]

This is heartbreaking. Less than 1.5 years ago I was in a unique position to go there on the cheap as I was in one of the stans, and had passed through another one. The sliver of intel I got led me to believe that they were all hookers and no English was spoken. Shame on you Prosal for not posting this 2 years ago.

[Prosal]

Well, all you have to do now is to take an Uzbekistan Airways flight from NYC, even if the new slogan does not exactly inspire confidence (pic non photoshopped)

[Aliblahba]

Yeah that pic makes me want to choose another airline. I'm seriously looking into this for next year. If the cost of living isn't high and some degree of "Engrish" is spoken it will happen.

The girls in Kyrgyzstan were hot with Asian features, but I only touched down on biz, and the guys that lived there said you needed the local lingo or Russian to survive. Hadn't planned on flying that far but I'm aching to get off the beaten path again. The only places I'm even remotely interested in EE is Poland and Romania, but those are heavily traveled.

Again, great write up.

[Prosal]

(08-22-2013 11:17 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

If the cost of living isn't high and some degree of "Engrish" is spoken it will happen.

Tashkent is the cheapest city I've ever been to. I'm not stingy, but I must admit that being in a place where everything is damn cheap adds to my travel pleasures.

[Chaos]

Excellent datasheet. As a frequent traveller to FSU I find this very useful.

How is Tashkent compared to other cities in Uzbekistan? Have you visited Bishkek and Dushanbe also or any other central Asian capitals?
Comparisions?

+1 from me.

[Prosal]

(08-22-2013 12:52 PM)Chaos Wrote:  

Excellent datasheet. As a frequent traveller to FSU I find this very useful.

How is Tashkent compared to other cities in Uzbekistan? Have you visited Bishkek and Dushanbe also or any other central Asian capitals?
Comparisions?

+1 from me.

Spasibo.

I've been almost everywhere in Uzbekistan (with Tashkent as a base), but I've never been elsewhere in Central Asia. Vorkuta has been to Bishkek and has made here a great report : http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-10898....t=bishkek.

My ISG komrade-in-arms DirkDingy, who is (as Vorkuta) a culturally aware, good looking and intelligent guy, and that I know well (we've been together in Moldova and then in Uzbekistan), made also a well-written post about Bishkek. Don't know if I can post the link here, but here it is (Roosh, of course feel free to delete it).:

http://www.internationalsexguide.info/fo...post684098

DirkDingy would be a good contributor to this forum BTW. I would like to invite him.

[BCZalgyris]

(06-08-2013 11:07 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(06-08-2013 04:50 AM)The Duke Wrote:  

Even though Tashkent is racially very diverse, they could pick me out as a foreigner. I have dirty blond hair, so I could be ethnically Russian, right? Somehow, maybe from my clothes or hairstyle, people in Tashkent seemed to know I was foreign. I compare this to 6+ months in Ukraine where I seemed to blend in more.

In my experience, it's the same everywhere in EE and FSU. People spot IMMEDIATELY that you are a foreigner, whether you are blonde or dark-haired.

Have to disagree with that statement a bit. It really depends on one's facial features, and if they are rough it can actually be an advantage for travel in that part of the world. As a french guy Prosal I am sure you look better than the vast majority of Ukrainian/Russian/Belorussian guys (clean shaven, smooth skin, good style/haircut, etc.) and same thing applies for many white American's. On the other hand I have never been mistaken for a foreigner UNTIL I open my mouth and start to speak when my Russian accent comes out. Of course, since it is mild no one has been able to guess where I'm from. I suppose fights in my youth/teenage years resulting in facial scars as well as acne scars can be an advantage if you wanna blend-in in the FSU

[The Duke]

Prosal, the Uzbek people I met spoke highly of Almaty. Apparently a lot of Uzbeks go to Almaty for work.

(08-22-2013 11:17 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

If the cost of living isn't high and some degree of "Engrish" is spoken it will happen.

I'd say the level of English is less than Ukraine or BKK, but you can find Engish speakers. Study Russian before your trip.

(08-22-2013 12:52 PM)Chaos Wrote:  

How is Tashkent compared to other cities in Uzbekistan?

Samarkand has interesting mosques, but I doubt there is much nightlife there. Tashkent has the most ethnically Russian people. Tashkent probably has the best girls.

[jimukr104]

They know I am not local when I open my mouth but since both of us are of Slavic ancestry that might be why? Also I am a retired beat cop. My career was spent looking stoic and being a hard ass climtveastwood. I think if you walk around with the stoic look they will take youvas local.

[Prosal]

(08-22-2013 07:17 PM)The Duke Wrote:  

Samarkand has interesting mosques, but I doubt there is much nightlife there. Tashkent has the most ethnically Russian people. Tashkent probably has the best girls.

+1. Samarkand, Buchara, Chiva, ect are extraordinary and exciting from a touristic point of view, but there's not much nightlife. For this purpose, you might rather want to visit some of the more Soviet cities, such as Navoi or Zarafshan, or also Urgench. But since there is no tourism in these places, you'll be better speaking at least basic Russian, and you should be careful when going to local clubs there. The most populated region in Uzbekistan after Tashkent is the Fergana Valley, and Fergana is also worth a try, but better avoid cities like Andizhan and Namangan that are quite unsafe.

[SpiderKing]

(05-01-2013 02:30 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

Bellydancing floor show.

Pic taken from the facebook page of PaSaDo, a new restaurant in Tashkent. Good sample of the looks of uzbek women.

Wow!

Belly DANCERS, not BELLY dancers

[OnlyMarryInTajikistan]

I lived in Tashkent for a month, and although the people are wonderful the city is insanely difficult, especially in the hot summer.

The infrastructure is ridiculously bad, Ukraine is Monaco by comparison. It is one of the few places in the world you can look around for hours in search of a toilet only to go for the easier piss-under-a-tree option. Especially in the central area, there are no establishments, a la communist, but unlike places like Beijing, where Tiananmen is just a small part, this area takes up most of the center. Instant dates in particular were extremely hard, I tried to daygame around the few places close to a snacks stand (forget about cafes in he center) and I would sit on a bench.

Forget about living here without a car. The metro works, but stations are far from everywhere. Russian is indispensable, though some Russian girls speak English, most Uzbek don't.

There is a near-celebrity status in Tashkent. I sometimes feel uncomfortable in the metro with every single person staring at me. People ask for photos in the main square, a very Asian thing to do. Virtually no non-Russian foreigners, people know quickly you are Western.

It is absolute third-world. Living here will be a challenge even for experienced travellers, I used to joke around that living in Tashkent was Bear Grylls material. Forget about public toilets, and even finding a bar to sit and have a drink will take sweat. Transport is terrible and, although you can call a taxi (FSU taxi - private car), you will almost always get scammed. It is so bad I decided to rent a car for my stay, even if just for dates. You can, however, find some nice date venues, but they will be tucked away.

Nightclubs are not great, prostitutes and the new rich congregate there and you will not find the best the city has to offer. Focus on day game.

It is a K-selected society. Girls absolutely do not sleep around (with the exception of prostitutes), ONS is very rare. It will take a few dates to seal the deal, the girls focus on romance over sex and they wish for relationships, many looking towards marriage. The girls are incredibly sweet, and you will find many 7s and some 8s, with little difference in attitude between the beautiful and the ugly. No 9s.

Personally I believe the Eastern European part of the FSU (not EU countries, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia...) have higher quality girls for short-term affairs. But, I believe Uzbekistan is one of the few places in the world where a marriage and family could work. The girls are sweet, the average age at first childbirth is about 23, divorce rates about 8%, most of these in the Russian population. The women there are very family-oriented, they take it very seriously and it is what every woman is destined to do, or so they believe. A divorce is an unthinkable shame. They are pleasant, very unlikely to divorce-rape you, and I'm sure they would make great mothers. If I ever get married, I am sure it will be there, but moving would be a pre-requisite. I would not be able to risk a cultural-change by moving a girl abroad. But nothing comes free.

[ohionukes]

A hottie from Uzbekistan - you might recognize her as the ATT girl.

[rishboy77]

(08-23-2014 12:37 PM)OnlyMarryInTajikistan Wrote:  

Personally I believe the Eastern European part of the FSU (not EU countries, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia...) have higher quality girls for short-term affairs. But, I believe Uzbekistan is one of the few places in the world where a marriage and family could work. The girls are sweet, the average age at first childbirth is about 23, divorce rates about 8%, most of these in the Russian population. The women there are very family-oriented, they take it very seriously and it is what every woman is destined to do, or so they believe. A divorce is an unthinkable shame. They are pleasant, very unlikely to divorce-rape you, and I'm sure they would make great mothers. If I ever get married, I am sure it will be there, but moving would be a pre-requisite. I would not be able to risk a cultural-change by moving a girl abroad. But nothing comes free.

Do you believe if a hot Uzbek girl who is 20 years younger and bought to the West for marriage would act any differently then her FSU sisters ?

[Jaydublin]

(10-11-2014 09:16 AM)rishboy77 Wrote:  

(08-23-2014 12:37 PM)OnlyMarryInTajikistan Wrote:  

Personally I believe the Eastern European part of the FSU (not EU countries, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia...) have higher quality girls for short-term affairs. But, I believe Uzbekistan is one of the few places in the world where a marriage and family could work. The girls are sweet, the average age at first childbirth is about 23, divorce rates about 8%, most of these in the Russian population. The women there are very family-oriented, they take it very seriously and it is what every woman is destined to do, or so they believe. A divorce is an unthinkable shame. They are pleasant, very unlikely to divorce-rape you, and I'm sure they would make great mothers. If I ever get married, I am sure it will be there, but moving would be a pre-requisite. I would not be able to risk a cultural-change by moving a girl abroad. But nothing comes free.

Do you believe if a hot Uzbek girl who is 20 years younger and bought to the West for marriage would act any differently then her FSU sisters ?

If you find a decent girl who isnt a foreigner groupie I think the odds of her staying close to the same are good. She may even become homesick and want to go back.... IF you get a decent girl who is not searching for a ticket out.

I have been living in a small Mexican city for over a year now and I believe that a lot of the girls I know here would be good wives here or in the USA and they would not change much.

I will say that the risk of them changing grows the younger they are. If you are bringing back a 28 year old she will probably appreciate it more than a 20 year old.