— The first Uzbek word you learned?

— I already knew some Kazakh, so I arrived with a basic set: “Assalomu alaykum” [hello], “Yaxshimisiz?” [how are you?], “Charchamayapsizmi?” [are you tired?], “Tuzukmisiz?” [all good?], “Mayli” [okay/alright], “Xo’p bo’ladi” [agreed/okay].

— Favourite season in Tashkent?

— Spring, without doubt, when Isabella strawberries and mulberries come into season. I cannot walk past a mulberry tree without stopping. Autumn is wonderful too; it runs long and warm here. And I love winter for skiing and snowboarding in the mountains.

— An Uzbek dish you still haven’t got used to?

— Tuxum barak. I tried it at a wedding in Khorezm and again in Tashkent. Shivit osh I loved immediately. Tuxum barak, not so much.

— How has Tashkent or Uzbekistan changed you?

— Here, it feels completely natural to message a stranger: “We have so much in common. Want to grab a coffee?” and actually meet up. Getting to know someone on a tour or at a bar and staying in touch is just how things work.

My friends and I have even developed our own tradition. We hold a “Gap” [a traditional Uzbek social gathering where members take turns hosting] every Friday. And tanish-bilish, in the best sense, has become second nature. In whatever the situation, the first thought is always who you know, who might have advice, or who could help.