Valentine's Day is around the corner. For those who prefer to give a gift of experience (versus things), traveling is not an option this year - we better be home due to the state of the world. I am not complaining - I have been using this time to focus on my inner self. I picked up Ashtanga yoga, I made changes to my diet, I am on a partial digital detox - there is a lot changing. Still, with all these positive developments there is one thing missing and that's exploration of a new culture. There is a part of me which can't wait to travel and I know I am not the only one.

As we think of gift ideas for this Valentine's Day why not try to satisfy that longing for a new cultural discovery?

I recently discovered a book "The yarn connecting generations" published in Tashkent in 2017. The book is in Uzbek and Russian. The book is a tribute to works of two ikat artisans from Margilan - Turgunboy and Rasul Mirzaakhmedovs, a famous father and son duet. They revived some Central Asian ikat patterns lost during the Soviet times and created many new ones. Turgunboy Mirzaakhmedov passed away years ago - God bless his soul. Rasul, the 9th generation abrbandi ikat maker is continuing his legacy. It was interesting to read the book since I personally knew late Turgunboy aka and know Rasul.