East Meets West
Picture of a sunset to capture the horizon to represent this post “East Meets West”
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome back, curious minds and kind souls. The Around the World series is a quick overview through every country, six at a time. It’s meant to help us see the planet not as a list of names or borders, but as a living collection of cultures, voices, stories. One that’s far more connected than we often realize.
Today’s chapter, “East Meets West,” brings us to the final stretch of Asia. A region of crossroads and contrasts, where ancient trade routes once carried silk, spices, and ideas across continents. From Turkey’s bridge between worlds to Vietnam’s rivers and resilience, Turkmenistan’s desert cities to Uzbekistan’s blue tired history, and from United Arab Emigrates modern rise to Yemen’s tireless spirit, these nations remind us how the past and present can share the same horizon.
So as our journey moves westward, take one last look at Asia. A land of echoes and evolution, and get ready to see how stories continue to shift as we cross into new continents.
For now, let’s begin our trek through Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emigrates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen. And to take a look back on our journey thus far, click here.
My hand-drawn flag of Turkey
TURKEY
Official name: Türkiye
Pronunciation: tur-kee
Capital: Ankara
Official language: Turkish
Location: Southwestern Asia (and Middle East - part of MENA) in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria
Most known for: Rich history, such as Byzantine and Ottoman Empires
Fun fact: Largest producer of hazelnuts
Recent news article: Turkish Airlines Wins Guinness World Records for Serving the Most Countries (Lauren Smith, 2024)
My knowledge: Somewhat familiar
My hand-drawn flag of Turkmenistan
TURKMENISTAN
Official name: Republic of Turkmenistan
Pronunciation: trk-meh-nuh-staan
Capital: Ashgabat
Official language: Turkmen
Location: In Central Asia in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran
Most known for: For its intricately patterned, hand woven carpets, which hold significant cultural value and are even celebrated with a national holiday
Fun fact: Celebrates annual melon holiday to honor its melons which are considered some of the best in the world
Recent news article: Turkmenistan Launches International Startup Forum 2025, Advancing its Digital Transformation Agenda (The Caspian Post, 2025)
My knowledge: I’m not too familiar with Turkmenistan
My hand-drawn flag of UAE
UNITED ARAB EMIGRATES
Official name: United Arab Emigrates (UAE)
Pronunciation: yoo-nai-tuhd eh-ruhb eh-mr-uts
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Official language: Arabic
Location: In Western Asia, on the peninsula within the Middle East region (part of MENA) in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Oman and Saudi Arabia
Most known for: Modern Architecture
Fun fact: Home to the World’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa
Recent news article: UAE announces National Day holiday for public and private sector employees (The Times of India, 2025)
My knowledge: I know a little about UAE
My hand-drawn flag of Uzbekistan
UZBEKISTAN
Official name: Republic of Uzbekistan
Pronunciation: uz-BEK-i-staan
Capital: Tashkent
Official language: Uzbek
Location: In Central Asia in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan
Most known for: Its Silk Road Heritage as it was a vital crossroads which served as center for trade and culture in cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva
Fun fact: Home to the word’s largest open pit gold mine
Recent news article: Uzbekistan to Build Central Asia’a Largest Ethanol Refinery (Sadokat Jalolova, 2025)
My knowledge: Not too familiar
My hand-drawn flag of Vietnam
VIETNAM
Official name: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Pronunciation: vee-et-NAM
Capital: Hanoi
Official language: Vietnamese
Location: Eastern portion of the peninsula in Southeastern Asia in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Cambodia, Laos, and China
Most known for: Vietnamese Food, such as Spring rolls
Fun fact: Home to the planet’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave. It’s over 5.5 miles long
Recent news article: Protecting Vietnam’s vast caves may have sparked a wildlife comeback (Joshua Zukas, 2025)
My knowledge: Only a little knowledgeable
My hand-drawn flag of Yemen
YEMEN
Official name: Republic of Yemen
Pronunciation: yeh-muhn
Capital: Sanaa
Official language: Arabic
Location: Western Asia but on the southern tip of the peninsula in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Saudi Arabia and Oman
Most known for: Considered the birthplace of coffee
Fun fact: The archipelago is known for its Dragon’s blood tea which produces red sap and has a distinctive umbrella like shape
Recent news article: How Climate Change Undermines Every Aspect of Childhood in Yemen (UNDP Yemen, 2025)
My knowledge: Not very familiar with Yemen
From Yemen to Uzbekistan, this chapter felt like both an ending and a beginning. Traveling through Asia has been a reminder that the continent isn’t one story, but thousands woven together through trade and tradition, faith and future, peace and persistence.
As we prepare to journey into Europe, I keep thinking about how every border crossed carries a lesson. Travel doesn’t just teach us about distance, it teaches us how to connect. How to find familiar in the foreign, and to carry a bit of each place forward, even after we’ve left.
So as the Around the World moves from East to West, I hope this chapter encourages you to look back before looking ahead. To notice what has shifted within you along the way.
Have you visited or learned about any of these countries before? What surprised you the most? East to West is now live. The final step through Asia before we begin our next adventure across Europe.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
