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Uzbekistan

I went to Uzbekistan and could pass for a local: Here's why (sometimes) it's better to stand out as a tourist

The Dormition Cathedral in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Joshua Jung
Special to USA TODAY
  • When visiting another country, being immersed in the life and culture through the lens of a local is an invaluable experience.
  • Anonymity means you don't get to experience the same perks enjoyed by other tourists.

Being immersed in the life, culture, and language of another country through the lens of a local is the experience that all of us in the backpacker community are chasing. But of course, being American – Korean-American, no matter where I go – I’m quickly outed as the tourist that I am, and relegated to the classic "tourist" experience.

So when I packed for my first trip ever to Uzbekistan, I squeezed everything into a small black backpack, tucked my money belt under my waistband, and left my baseball cap at home, as I usually do.

But this trip was different.

For one thing, there was a large Korean community in Uzbekistan. Through a tragic history of forced relocation and assimilation under Stalin, there existed a large, thriving Korean diaspora throughout Central Asia. So there I was in Tashkent, walking by Korean restaurants, Korean grocery stores, and of course, Korean churches. Home sweet home, and as long as I didn't open my mouth I was a local. Just another member of the local Korean immigrant population.

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