In Samarkand we managed to find a decent backpacker type place to stay at – a house set around a central courtyard – where the family had obviously heard about the concept of a backpacking hostel – and had very nearly got it right. They was slightly mystified by us most of the time and seemed to have settled on the proactive tactic of feeding us tea and melon at every opportunity.
At night communal dinners were served at a long outdoor table. Conversations were held in variously accented English and stories shared. Following dinner came further stories and a variety of card games conducted on the raised dais covered in cushions. Dinner was invariably Broth Surprise - which meant the fun of a tombola to find out what was in it - usually a couple of potatoes and a carrot. Yum.
Having gathered Sergei in Khiva, enjoyed run ins with morose Mubinjon and eccentric Andrei in Bukhara, not to mention having been so, so close to meeting “Tall & Stately” Tom it was obviously now time for us to collect some more randoms.
Neil – a British chap taking 4 years to motorbike around the world (he told his company he'll only be a couple of months). His live-in girlfriend didn't believe him until he sold their house....she's not talking to him anymore.
Steven - studying Middle Eastern studies at Cambridge and full of stories of playing international rugby for Syria in his year out (apparently the only team they were able to beat was Cyprus - and only because the Cypriots were very hung-over.) He doesn’t believe the Arabs have the temperament for rugby.
Duncan & Tom: 2 ex-McKinsey Brits from the Asia practice doing Sydney - London overland playing cards at any opportunity.
and Herve and Jean-Francoise: a pair of gay French bank managers who go running in very short shorts, have a worrying interest in Tin Tin and a predilection for dancing through Bazaars when they hear dodgy Russian pop music....
Definitely a motley crew!
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