We arrived in Irkutsk around 3:20 pm together with hundreds of other passengers. The exit door was jammed and all of us were trying to leave the station at the same time. My panic alarm was triggered fearing anyone of us would get mugged or something. Alhamdulillah nothing happened and we were safely guided by Salimi to our minibus. For the first time I felt the fear for being in a foreign land.
The late afternoon sun was hidden behind the thick cloud that made a summer day dull and unforgiving.We rushed through the deserted market to find a place for dinner. Hang on my friends! this market looks interesting and we must stop to look at the fruits and the vegies. I am glad we did ;the peach was very crunchy and juicy. The cherries were still here and that’s a must try fruit to buy. Utterly delicious. I was looking for honey jars but they have honey mixed with some beans etc not the raw one.
At the end of the road we entered what appeared to be an Uzbek restaurant. Immediately my plov tastebud came rushing back. I love the taste of buttery rice and the tender grilled meat together with mouth watering salad. Dinner was fantastic. As today is my daughter’s birthday they threw in a small celebration and am grateful for such deep concern and effort especially by Bro Salimi & Faisal.
Nabiela Husna(aka Una) was born on this day in 1995. It was the year I flew to the UK for my PhD study. No one including our parents could not understand why I dragged my whole family including baby Una to travel far distance to London. I had to register at U of Essex in September of 1995. Una is our third child so the five of us embarked on a journey to start a new life in a foreign land for the next four years. My wife and I, being young and stubborn, endured the challenges raising three beautiful girls in Essex, England. Una and her sisters behaved beautifully on the long 12-hour flight to Heathrow. She was as cute as she is today and we are so proud of her. Happy birthday Una—from Abah and Umi !
It was already dark when we strolled back to the hotel; the market was empty and everyone seemed to be inside as the cold wind started to blow.
Our hotel was awesome with beautiful design especially the interior decor. It has good and comfy bed with hot shower etc. A solid standard hotel room where you can go back and rest after a full day’s tour.As an old traveller I need to rejuvenate my body for it to function again tomorrow. Young guys may never understand this but you know, life is beautiful as long as you know how to take care of your own body. So it could appreciate the smiles and laughters as the others.
It has been an awesome day in Irkutsk.tomorrow will be more interesting. InsyAllah.
