Chasing the Sea

The narrative follows Tom Bissell's journey to Uzbekistan, where he initially served as a Peace Corps volunteer. Despite a brief stay due to illness, he becomes captivated by the country. Five years later, he returns to investigate the environmental impact of Soviet irrigation on the Aral Sea, accompanied by a lively translator named Rustam. Their adventurous trek leads them into precarious encounters with Uzbek police as they navigate the region's challenges and explore its haunting beauty.