Le Tour du Monde; Mont Céleste

A vivid travel chronicle from the turn of the twentieth century, this excerpt follows Prince Scipion Borghèse as he arrives in the bustling frontier city of Tachkent. The narrator paints the town’s wide, tree‑lined avenues, modest Russian houses, and the mix of modern cafés, clubs and libraries that give the place a surprisingly contemporary feel. At the same time, he notes the lingering sense of impermanence that colors every encounter on these distant rails.

From the moment the prince and his seasoned guide Zurbriggen set out, the narrative captures the rhythm of an overland trek across the steppes toward the legendary Celestial Mountains. Their preparations at the local observatory and the brief explorations of the city hint at both the logistical hurdles and the awe inspired by the looming peaks. The prose balances meticulous detail with a traveler’s wonder, inviting listeners to experience the early stages of an adventure that blends geography, culture, and the timeless challenges of journeying into the unknown.