“White Christmas” in Uzbekistan, Series Book by Christie Damayanti
This book is an inspiring travel memoir of a woman with a disability, Christie Damayanti, who explores the anti-mainstream beauty of Uzbekistan. Written in a reflective and emotional style, the author shares her first-hand experiences visiting a former Soviet country rich in snow, Islamic culture, and Silk Road heritage.
More than just a travel story, this book is a journey of faith, courage, and inner healing. From descending the airplane stairs in freezing temperatures to tasting warm ‘Somsa’ in Jizzakh and playing in the snow at Registan Square, Christie captures the warmth of humanity amid the cold white landscape.
The book also highlights issues of accessibility and inclusivity, showing how architecture and empathy can coexist. As an architect and a traveler who has explored 46 countries, Christie blends her professional insight with personal reflection.
Key message: ‘When the snow freezes, keep moving, so we don’t freeze with it.’
Uzbekistan (White Christmas) is a travel memoir that weaves together spiritual strength, architectural beauty, and the essence of humanity. Written by Christie Damayanti—an architect, urban planner, and wheelchair traveler—the book recounts her personal journey through Uzbekistan, a country often seen as remote and unconventional.
Through a gentle, reflective tone, Christie takes readers along snowy roads from Tashkent to the majestic Registan Square in Samarkand, savoring traditional Somsa and discovering the kindness of the Uzbek people. Each chapter offers more than scenic beauty; it reveals the inner growth of a woman learning to embrace her limitations and transform them into strength.
More than a travel book, Uzbekistan (White Christmas) is a manifesto for life—about courage, inclusivity, empathy, and faith. It reminds us that even with physical constraints, the soul’s journey remains limitless. As the author writes: ‘When the snow freezes, keep moving, so we don’t freeze with it.’
This is not just a travel story—it’s a journey of faith, resilience, and love for life. Architect and wheelchair traveler Christie Damayanti braves the freezing Uzbek winter and finds warmth in human kindness. From Tashkent to Samarkand, every page becomes a reflection on gratitude, inclusivity, and inner strength. Uzbekistan (White Christmas) reminds us that physical limitations can never confine the spirit—and that a heart full of love never freezes.
Christie Damayanti is an architect, urban planner, and inspirational traveler who has explored more than 46 countries across four continents. After a stroke left her paralyzed on one side of her body, she refused to stop dreaming—turning her wheelchair into wings to see the world.
A prolific writer of books on travel, architecture, and life, Christie is known for her honest and empathetic storytelling. Her works advocate for accessibility, spiritual healing, and the boundless power of human perseverance.
For Christie, traveling is not an escape—it’s a way to learn about humanity and rediscover love in every encounter.
“Disability is not the end of a journey—it’s the beginning of an extraordinary story written by God.”
