In the heart of Central Asia

After three years of living, working and travelling in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, Nikola Hrušková has written a distinctive diary that brings the reality of modern Central Asia to life. It captures everyday situations and interactions with locals, the fulfilment of travel dreams while traversing the Pamir Highway, a journey through closed-off Turkmenistan, the tragedy of the shrinking Aral Sea, and all those colourful oriental bazaars and their (not just) gastronomic offerings. Thanks to her personal experiences and relationships, she gives readers an insight into the difficult lives of women, the mindset of society, and the importance of religion and family. It also includes visits to important historical sites on the Silk Road from Samarkand to Khiva, as well as glittering metropolises. She tries to bring to life the stories of open and communicative people and to show in more depth what today's society and life in Central Asia is like, often so completely different and incomprehensible to us Europeans.