Day 09 – 31st May, 2012 : Cholpon Ata to Bishkek, Kyrgystan

8.30 A.M.: I was sitting in the sunlight and writing this. My sugar is high 203.  Dr. Arun had changed the sugar medicine which is lighter. Now, I will try 3 tablets instead of 2. It is beautiful sunny day. I got up at 7 a.m. and then walked upto the lake. I took out sandals and walked in the water. It wasn’t that cold. It literally gave me a good feeling. Issyk-kul  means ‘hot lake’.  I am glad, I spent a good time and seeing this with Bayastan, Damira and Junus. I had a talk with Junus. Last night while talking he told me he was fighting in Osh 2 yrs back, Talibans coming there. He thinks Osh is not a good place and I should be very very careful. From Osh I can go to Dushanbe or Khujand. He preferred Khujand. Dushanbe is 20 hrs away from the mountains. He has a friend and he will speak to him today. Bayastan had come where I was sitting and told that Dostan (the thief) phoned last night thinking it was Gala’s number and they will do something today.I should buy a phone and camera today.

It is 8.45 a.m.  I am packed and ready to go.  The theft of my gadgets brought me closure to these friends and without them I would not see and feel all what I had experienced now. Most of the people in the world are excellent in my theory.  I am fearlessly travelling now.

2.50 p.m.: We are still in Issyk-Kul. This is the beginning of Issyk-kul. Damira took us to her parents’ apartment. Her mother expected all of us. Drawing room was covered three sides with handmade wall hangings done by her mother. Her mother greeted us and inside was laid down low height table. We all sat around it. Tomato Cucumber Salad plates, lots of Bread, Homemade butter, electric kettle boiling water for tea. Then Zarma came, then a plate of lentil and fried eggs, lots of tea in bowl, a big bowl of Zarma, National drink of Kyrgyzstan. I could not drink more than half bowl.

7.10 p.m.: I have bought a new camera and Nokia phone from the market.  Again all the three were of great help in choosing both the gadgets. Now we will ask for taxi to Khujand. My friends are contemplating on whether I should go to Osh or not which is not a safe place. Khujand is a very long journey. Possibly 20-25 hrs. Flight to Dushanbe goes once in a week.  Let me see what happens. I had very good time last two days in these people’s company.  I could not go to internet Cafe as there is none at Issyk-kul.

8.30 p.m.: Beautiful sunset.  The sky is red, enveloping in the darkness. I can’t take photos as I am sitting in a Mini bus.  Bayastan drove us to Bus Stand at Bishkek. Junus and Damira are also there. Bayastan and Junus talked to driver and asked me to come in. This mini bus is going to Badkan, will reach tomorrow evening. From there, I have to cross by road to Tajikistan and the Khujand in another 220 and 300 kms. I have to pay 1800 Som for Badkan. I will be travelling alone. There is a place where I will sleep on the seat behind the driver.  Junus came with me to Bus Stand and I bought Bread, Patties and four eggs, a bottle of water for 215 Som.

Sky is still a bit red. I bade goodbye to all of them.  They noted down phone number of  the driver and will monitor my going.  It is dangerous to go this way.  Everyone told me not to take road route.  It is very long and dangerous. This mini bus will stop after 5 hrs.



01.06.2012 : Way to Khujand, Tajiskistan
9.00 a.m.:  Our van stopped at 12.50 A.M. It’s time for the driver to sleep. In between he picked up another young man Murad who said he is a medical student of Bishkek. I objected and phoned Bayastan. He talked to the driver and said it is O.K.
It was very cold outside.  There were high mountains and snow on them. I used the woolen Namda to cover myself. All three of us were half sleeping sitting.  I spread my legs and enjoyed Business class travel and slept.

It was at 4.20 a.m. when Muradh shouted drivers name and asked him to get up.  It was dark.  We  climbed mountain road and now going down. It was a beautiful scenery and snow was still there. The road was going up and down.  All mountain area.  Road is excellent and there is very little traffic. After snowy mountain we saw grassy green mountains. On our right side was deep clear water lake which was quite large. Occasionally one or two houses or shops were passing. The lake had gone back and we are still going down.  Then a deep water gorge. It is beautiful. I have no battery left in my camera. Then I saw a well laid town, crossing a small river. This is Kazakhstan.
Now we are going through Bazaar Korgan town. Market is open now. It is getting hot. And finally we have come to the plains.
We stopped outside Jalalabad around 11:30pm. There is a good restaurant that serves typical Kyrgyzstani style cuisine.
12.35 p.m.:  In the restaurant outside 6-7 wooden shacks were there. In the centre, there was wooden low table.  A family of 4-5 persons can sit inside. One can sit cross legged also. I went to the toilet but did not clear the stomach. We crossed Osh at 9.15 p.m. Fairly big town, good buildings, a very long swimming pool.
We stopped at one shop and drank butter milk which was being sold here. It was very refreshing. Took some pictures. A Kirghi woman was setting in a small shack. I gave her 20 Som.  She refused to take money from me but I insisted and gave her the money. Road is not that good. Pot holes are common.
2.30 p.m.: We will reach Badkan at 7.00 p.m. Driver is now visibly tired.
5.30 p.m.: We are at the border of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. For Tazakistan, I have to cross a partition of Uzbekistan and then Kyrgyzstan and then Tazakistan. But once my visa is stamped which is single entry, I can’t come to Kyrgyzstan i.e. Badkan.  Immigration explained the same to Junus also, who talked to him on the phone.  Alternative is that instead I take another road which is very bad and larger and will not touch Uzbekistan. Now I have to pay US $ 100 instead of US $ 40 (1800 Som)extra.  There is no alternative. Border is all mountains. Driver is getting his one tyre repaired. He was using stoping. In such a long journey, this could be expected. Now to reach Badkan, will take 5 hrs more.

6.45 p.m. : We are still at the Dinmod and have finished dinner. I took two meat stuffed Momos, Ten and Bread for 55 Som.  In the Day time also I ate the same.  Driver has also eaten.