Salon Wanderlust for April 29, 1997 -- If you're big on telephones and such, the nations of Central Asia aren't for you. But if you have an iron stomach, a steel will and a bottle of Cipro, you'll be rewarded with priceless spectacles of ancient history ...

The PCV Central Asia home stay program is a great way to see Uzbekistan (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and the Aral Sea), as an added bonus you get cheap vodka, interesting foods and pit toilets.

The following is a brief description of a 12 day trip through Uzbekistan. Section 1 is a description of the trip. Section 2 is a few practical notes, in the form of corrections and additions to the Cadogan book 'Central Asia: The Practical Handbook' by Giles Whittel. This is the only practical guide to Central Asia and essential for independent travellers.