Tyler Olson’s “cruising and boozing” around Uzbekistan through virtual exploration could never truly be a substitute for physical traveling. In Olson’s essay, “In Zarafshan”, he reasons that he saved himself from the horrible time he imagines he would have had if he were to have visited Zarafshan in person. During the short time that he spent roaming, or more accurately scrolling, around the city he claims that he was able to visit the most central locations and yet avoid, the dreaded, human interaction, however the knowledge he may believe he acquired is not the same knowledge he would have experience if he were to actually visit Zarafshan. Sure, he wandered through the city’s central shopping plaza while enjoying his fourth ice cold beer