REDISCOVERING THE JOY OF TRAVEL: BUKHARA
Image: Hammam Bozori Kord
By Polly Leonard, Founder of Selvedge Magazine
This summer many of our readers are rediscovering the joy of travel. I wanted to take the opportunity to share a couple of experiences I have recently enjoyed that will stay with me and to invite you, our readers, to share your experiences. The kind of experiences that are seared into your memory so that you don't need to take photographs. The unexpected joy of traveling.
Image: Hammam Bozori Kord
The first of these was during a trip to the Zar Festival in Bukhara in the spring where I expected to see incredible gold embroidery, ikat weaving, and suzani embroidery. I was not disappointed by the textiles, which were divinely beautiful. I was also beguiled by the atmosphere, enchanted by the generosity of the people and awed by the architecture. It was an easy leap of the imagination to picture myself as a traveler along the silk road of the 12th century. I shared this experience with new found friends including academic Lindy Joubert, University of Melbourne, Australia and Mia (Marianne) Thomas, a talented textile designer from Finland and Founder of Melsinki.
Image: Hammam Bozori Kord
Together, on our last day, we ventured to the Hammam Bozori Kord, a medieval hammam, a domed bath complex built in the 17th Century that became an integral part of the cultural and architectural panorama of the city. Visiting bath houses was the favourite leisure activity of people across Central Asia and beyond. I now see why. The relaxed ambiance, great service from the ladies who gossiped and giggled while attending to bowls of warm water, unique aura and, of course, washing and massages will be remembered as sheer bliss. An unforgettable and unexpected experience.
Have you rediscovered the joy of travel? If so, we would love to hear about your unforgettable experience. Please send 300 words and 3 images to blog@selvedge.org and we will share the best ones on the blog.