By ASIYA

Directions Website

Here to inspire and share the beauty of this planet. 💫❤️

11/02/2026

I spent three months abroad:
Month 1: Walking the Camino Frances 500 miles across the north of spain
Month 2: Exploring Crete during eclipse season
Month 3: Engulfed in the beauty of Central Asia

Tonight I’m hosting a zoom call to share about my key take- away. If you would like to join, please dm me! It will be at 8:30 pm.

09/25/2026

How many feet must have walked through these streets?

I have Central Asian ancestors- but from where? Were they traders that once crossed great distances to trade in the markers where I bought my modern day dress and silk scarf?

Last Ramadan I began a study into sacred geometry and photos of impressive facades from Bukhara and Samarkand began coming into my field. I know my heart wanted to visit Uzbekistan and yet I didn’t know how it would unfold.

I take this trip with my mother one month before my 40th birthday and it truly feels like a dream. I leave Bukhara inspired by the color, by the beauty, and by the architecture that I experienced first hand.

My mind is also filled with questions about the past- how were the ancient madressas run? Was there access for women like me to study too? And what was Bukhara before Islam? Did my ancestors practice Zoroastrianism? Or were they connected to Sufi mystics that came later?

Bukhara reminds me of impermanence. That what is today may not be tomorrow. But somehow memory remains. It lives embedded in the land. The trade, education and art that filled Bukhara live on. Even though the USSR shut down so many things, somehow traditional prevails like a seed that sprouts even if dormant for many years.

Uzbekistan is changing again, as it has throughout history. The “Disneyland” days are attracting large tour groups, but as an optimist, I believe that what comes next will be beautiful- the history of the land and the ancestors who have walked before will guide the way.

Thank you Bukhara- you have truly inspired my heart and my soul.

Love always, Asiya

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09/22/2026

Today my mother and I visited the Bahouddin Naqshband Qabri- a Sufi shrine complex. During such a visit it is customary to offer prayers for “ziyarat” or visitation. In addition to the prayers, we picked grapes from the garden and met other visitors to the sacred site from Turkmenistan as well as locals. The entire complex felt so peaceful and I felt so grateful we were able to visit. I was totally blown away by the architectural details and the aesthetic of the complex.

One of the main teachings attribute to BAHAUDDIN NAQSHBAND, who the complex is dedicated to is “OCCUPY YOUR HEART WITH ALLAH AND YOUR HANDS WITH WORK” - emphasizing the importance of having a connected heart while doing even the most mundane activity.

09/20/2026

Khiva, Uzbekistan - your awe inspiring architecture and rich history of a place of education truly inspired me. Every corner I turned in your old city, Ichan Kala, revealed impressive architecture adorned in turquoise and blue tiles - the walls to your madressas, palaces and tombs.

Through the eyes of a tourist, I cannot hope to understand the depth of the history that you have lived through during my three days with you. You feel like an open air museum - preserved- frozen in time- I pray that your madressas open- that the seed of education that once was the focus of your city returns. But this time allowing women to also be educated too.

My most special moment with you was taking a wood carving class from Fahad - a 6th generational wood carver. In our 2 hour masterclass- I scratched the surface of this ancient tradition.

Thank you for inspiring the depth of my soul.
Love always, Asiya

09/15/2026

My last day in Kyrgyzstan felt like a dream. ✨

I went to Ala Archa National Park, and right before I began my hike, I came across a little photo booth where, for 300 som ($3.43), you could dress up in traditional Kyrgyz clothing and have your photo taken.

I had seen similar photo booths all throughout Kyrgyzstan during my travels, but for some reason, they never called to me until this moment.

I decided to celebrate my two weeks in this beautiful country and take a few photos. 🤍

My sister has always believed that we have Central Asian ancestry, and she once created a vision board of what she imagined our ancestors might have looked like — braided-haired women, riding horses, carrying bows and arrows.

When I sent her this photo, she said, “Maybe someone from our ancestry is connecting to us.”

And honestly… that thought made the moment feel even more special. I literally looked like her vision board.

I feel so grateful for my time here. Kyrgyzstan has touched my heart so deeply, from its incredible mountains and landscapes to the warmth and beauty of its people.

I truly hope I can return one day.
Until next time, Kyrgyzstan. 🇰🇬🤍✨ 🇰🇬

09/15/2026

🏔️ Ala Archa National Park

Visiting Ala Archa was truly a dream. It’s so close to Bishkek, yet the moment you enter the mountains, you feel completely transported. The landscape was overwhelmingly beautiful. I hiked to the waterfall and absolutely loved the trail.

I arrived a little late in the day, so I had to move pretty quickly to make it back down in time — but it was completely worth it. 🌿

🚌 Getting there: I took the #1 bus from just north of Oak Park, for 40 som (about $0.46).

🎟️ Entrance: 250 som (about $2.86).

The national park transport includes a bus ride toward the cable car and trailheads, and there are several different hikes you can choose from. The last bus was at 9 pm.

Wild camping is allowed, and I saw people setting up camps in different areas of the park. The park is truly beautiful- The mountains, the river, the trees, the scale of everything… it genuinely took my breath away. 🤍

My one concern was the amount of construction. There are now several little houses available to rent near the end of the cable car, and I noticed a curving road and other developments being built.

I truly hope there can be a balance between accessibility, tourism and preservation — so that future generations can experience this place in its wild, pristine beauty too. 🌎

Ala Archa, you were magical. ✨Thank you!

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