This Used to Be a CLOSED Country! | I visited my family in Central Asia

This city in Uzbekistan was built by common efforts of all the Soviet republics and claimed the title of the best city in the USSR. Let’s visit my relatives that moved here during the Soviet Union and see what life here is like now and what changed after the collapse of the USSR.

Time codes:
00:00 First thing to do in Uzbekistan!
01:23 The most destructive earthquake in Central Asia happened in Tashkent
02:03 Tashkent metro tour
04:10 Meeting locals
05:14 Why Koreans were relocated to Uzbekistan?
06:28 This is why you should visit Uzbekistan
07:56 ... and some Soviet architecture
08:38 Why do many Uzbeks go to Russia for low-paid jobs?
10:54 Pros and cons of Soviet Uzbekistan
12:43 What was happening when the USSR collapsed?
13:18 After the USSR collapse, Uzbekistan was the second closed country
13:57 De-sovietization policy in Uzbekistan
14:58 Toshkent was built by common efforts of all the Soviet countries
16:15 Why did part of my family move to Uzbekistan during the USSR?

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[colinalexander]

You teach us so much.
As an Australian we know nothing about these countries.
Your friendly approach is perfect.

[shoxrozaasadova]

I'm from Uzbekistan, Tashkent. I am very happy to see that people from another countries come to explore my country, my culture and national heritage. People there are glad to see tourists and ready to help. (And I want to add that in metro stations the decoration and style depend on the name of each station.)

[ShakirahIbaad]

I think this is one of the best videos about Uzbekistan that I’ve ever seen! Apart from the stunning architecture, I really especially loved the interview with your Aunt, she is a very wise woman 😊 🇺🇿 🇷🇺 🌍

[nursdigitaldiary]

as a Turkish person, it makes me sad that how little we know about other Turkic countries. thank you for this beautifully teaching video!!

[zocho]

I am from Former Yugoslavia and love that modest furniture and beautiful kitchen set in the modest communist apartments .It is very nostalgic and reminds me of my childhood.Great memories.

[salvadorcccggg]

I was in Uzbekistan last year. It is an AMAZING country. Great video as always! Greetings from Spain! 😊

[sebbvell]

All my love to Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 from Venezuela 🇻🇪 ❤

[jerryde]

I am an American from San Francisco, California living in Oslo, Norway.
Your video is very enlightning for me because I have two friends that live here who are originally from Uzbekistan.
Now I understand their background more.
Very good video and now I am a new subscriber and look forward to viewing your other videos,
Keep up the great work😃

[sherryg]

Your passion for the history and the people make your videos a joy to watch. Thanks for the opportunity to see this country.

[adamw]

You make the best documentaries about Russia on YouTube! Be proud of the work you do Eli 🇬🇧🌷

[heinzgassner]

I love the way how you portrait ‘regions’ by putting people in the center. People in all their diversity, but with the same underlying dreams, worries and desires everywhere. What a great message shared by your wise aunt (?) at the end: Accepting the ‘isness’ of life is truly a secret key to happiness. Great video (again).

[celiabarrett]

Very inspiring to listen to this history. It's very touching that people came from everywhere to help after the earthquake. Your Aunty is very wise.

[JackWoolsey-wd]

Eli, once again the best part of your reporting is the interaction you have with the children. Kids know who they should like or mistrust. Glad they know to like you . The locals, scenery, your hard work are allways great too. Blessings to you and yours. Thanks.

[helloworld-tizs]

Ташкент - город хлебный. Самая богатая из среднеазиатских республик была в СССР.
Узбеки - прекрасный народ.
С уважение из Казахстана.

[curtvona]

I love the Soviet Architecture. Thank you for another awesome production, Eli.❤

[__Man__]

Soviet was so wide, even I forgot that Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were in an Union with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

[vocalmuse]

As Usual, your video on Uzbekistan displayed your brilliant talent and ability to highlight the important elements of any place you visit. Always fascinating - thank you.

[davidrobertthomas]

I visited Tashkent back in 1982. I went on an organised trip and flew from London to Moscow and visited Bukhara, Tashkent, Samarkand and Leningrad. It was my third trip to the Soviet Union. I traveled with my brother and I remember my Mother crying before we set off on our holiday thinking she’d never see us again. Lol. I was 21 years old. In Tashkent I remember women upon seeing us smiling to show off their gold capped teeth. It was the height of fashion for women in Tashkent to have gold capped teeth during that time. I have very fond memories of the Soviet Union. I recently subscribed to your great channel. Diolch Eli.

[schepvogelk]

Super interesting, what a insane part of history. Stories we dont see in western media. Thanks! Gr from Holland.

[MotoMnk]

Thank you for showing my home country xx You will also like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva