Inspiration Central Asia & Syria

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Central Asia

The Silk Road was a pathway of trade goods and information and education that stretched all the way from Europe to China. The biggest, most active part of this Road was Central Asia and the Medieval Islamic World. The establishment of The House of Wisdom in Bagdad in late 8th Century established traditions of scholarship and information sharing that saw the collection and protection of ancient works from Greece and the known world. Whist Europe was in the Dark Ages the light shone in the Medieval Islamic World.

Places of learning like the House of Wisdom prospered for 800 years until the expulsion of the moors by the Catholic Kings in Granada in the 15th century.  During this period scientific development, art, architecture, and much more grew and prospered.

Over the years many writers have fed my fascination with this area and its history, here a few they might interest you.

  • Orhan Pamuk – My Name is Red. Wow.
  • People of the Book– Geraldine Brooks. Well written and a great insight into the life of a medieval manuscript
  • Islam Quintet- Tariq Ali. Story of a family after the fall of Granada.
  • Samarkand– Amin Maalouf [all of his writing]
  • Ghost Empire by Richard Fidler- great read and good background information to underlying influences of The Silk Road
  • The Book Of Roads And Kingdoms by Richard Fidler
  • A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling, but commonly known as The Rihla. By Ibn Battuta- what an inspiring traveller. This was written Near the end of his life, he dictated an account of his journeys,

Travel Writing

  • A Carpet Ride to Khiva: Seven Years on the Silk Road. Christopher Alexander We visit this project in Khiva
  • Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron

History

  • The Great Game- Peter Hopkirk. Colonial powers, England and Russia vying for Central Asia
  • Inside Central Asia:A Political and Cultural History of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Iran by Dilip Hiro
  • Central Asia: A New History from the Imperial Conquests to the Present by Abeed Khalid [waiting for this one to arrive- looks good]

Contemporary Uzbek writers

  • The Railway by Hamid Ismailov, 
  • The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov -the author is Kyrgyz, he writes in Russian, the book is set in an imaginary part of Kazakhstan…. But I think I passed that railway station in Uzbekistan. I feel the book gives a feel of the Stans area and life
  • Jamila by Chingiz Aitmatov

Syria

  • Ibn Battutah The Travels of Ibn Battutah edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith.
  • Agatha Christie Come, Tell Me How You Live: An Archaeological Memoir- It is little known that Agatha Christie’s husband Max Mellor was an inspired archaeologist who spent some considerable time in Syria as did Christie in often inhospitable conditions.
  • Ross Burns –Monuments Of Syria: A Historical Guide. This book is a must for anyone is interested in archaeological sites and 
  • the wonderful monuments and ancient sites still in existence in Syria. Burns was a diplomat in Syria and fell in love with the place
  •  Damascus: A History
  • Amin Malouf –Samarkand. Amin Maalouf writes in French and has won the prestigious Prix Goncourt. Even in translation  his books are wonderful tales of a past and glorious history . Samarkand follows the very eventful life of Omar Kayyam ( lived around 1207 and reputed to have been a tentmaker by trade) author of the Rubayyait which he was ordered to write in a blank book as punishment for intrigue against the sultan.
  • -Balthasar’s Odyssey Another kind of journey in pursuit of a rare and old book “The Hundredth Name” through Syrian and Turkish lands to London and back.
  • The Crusades through Arab Eyes
  • Shelagh Weir Embroidery From Palestine (fabric Folios)
  • William Dalrymple From The Holy Mountain: A Journey In The Shadow Of Byzantium. Early Christianity in the Middle East- 
  • fascinating…visiting some of the areas he talks of…you have to wonder how did they survive living as hermits in the deserts and mountains?
  • In Xanudu: a quest.  A tale of following Marco Polo’s journals, via Aleppo, Syria

Inspiration Central Asia & Syria

Inspiration Central Asia & Syria
some of my Inspiration Central Asia & Syria reading

Creative Arts Safaris offers craft, textile and travel sketching tours to exotic locations.

We offer fully escorted small group tours and travelling workshops with respected tutors.

On tour we like to get our hands dirty taking workshops, exploring locations and culture. We include lots of local experiences as well as visiting iconic sites.

Crafts, travel sketching and textiles are our passion.

Our friendly groups are inclusive. They are companionable and well organized allowing a relaxed adventure, great for solo travellers.

They include pickup & drop to airport, accommodation, group travel, sightseeing, workshops, and most meals. Almost everything EXCEPT the shopping – that is your job. Help the local economy.