Our adventure really started when we boarded a small aeroplane. We travelled with Tajik Airways, which people ‘hilariously’ describe as Tragic Airways. This did nothing to calm our nerves, but I’m delighted to say the flight was smooth and we all landed safely in Khudjand in the north of the country.
We spent two days with our partner ASDP Nau and experienced generousTajik hospitality wherever we went. First, we met farmers who have been given the skills and equipment to dry their fruit. (See Amy's blog entry below). They insisted that we tried their delicious sun-dried tomatoes, apricots and cranberries. They even filled our bags as we left!
The following day, we met another group of farmers in a small house. We were greeted outside with traditional Tajik bread, which you dip in salt. The room we sat in was completely bare, except for a long table covered in a wonderful range of foods. We sat on plastic chairs and they gave us soup, dried fruits, pumpkin samosas and tea. The food was delicious and it was humbling to experience such generous hospitality from people with so little.
My highlight of the trip was a visit to a Women’s Development Centre, where our partner ASDP Nau has funded a sewing project that teaches women new skills and reduces social isolation. (See Kate's blog entry above). Again, we were met with girls carrying Tajik bread, but we were also given flowers and encouraged to look at their beautiful handicrafts. They knit woollen socks, make dresses, embroider tablecloths and much more. Before we left they insisted that we should dance with them to some traditional music. We copied the ladies, dancing in a small circle and moving anti clockwise, whilst rotating our wrists. The closest I’ve ever done to this is a Bollywood dance class in the
Comments