I read a book about 15 years ago, about a traveler touring the Middle East, particularly countries that used to be part of the USSR. It was a fascinating read, might have been a lightly fictionalized account of the author’s own travels. It’s told from a westerner’s perspective, probably American or Canadian.
He mentions the further he would get into Asia, the statues of Lenin that he would find around became more Asiatic in their features. He stays with various locals along the trip, and there’s a significant portion dedicated to the subtleties of pilaf. 
I know it’s not much to go on, but if anyone could help, I would greatly appreciate it. 
by burger_face
1 Comment
Sounds like a book my brother mentioned reading a couple of months ago. I texted him and he said it’s called Eastward to Tartary.