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Published: November 10th 2017
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Mares grazing on the slopes
Mares milk is the drink of choice in Kyrgasstan. Fermented, no less, so the hills are filled with Mares, foals at foot. Very Cute. No we have not tried it.... Horses are for riding Geo: 42.87, 74.5879
The trip to Bishkek was quite leisurely as we knew the embassies would not be open until Monday so we camped out a couple of nights.
The first night we headed down a track to a reservoir and headed for a clump of trees big enough to hide our vehicle and found that there was
even an older chap who seemed to be the caretaker in a very old van.. he had 4
donkeys, 2 baby donkey,) one dog and 1 cat & 1 kitten… excellent. Darren greeted him, indicated using sign language that we wanted to sleep next to his "caravan" to which he seemed to be okay with that idea, indicated for us to park in a given spot out of the wind and the deal was done. Crazy given we could not even read the sign to work out what the hell this particular place was.
Not to worry, more leisurely driving the following day and we decided to bush camp about 300 km's before Bishkek so we would arrive the next day relatively early and leave the nasty mountain passes and crazy tunnels to last. Wee camped next to a river and was a little surprised not to be
This guy appeared from nowhere
Posed for a photo and was gone disturbed by anyone.
Kirgizstan is the land of the horse, mares are milked and the milk is fermented to a dodgy alcoholic drink so herds wander freely everywhere including on the road. Looks great with foals, cowboys etc doing their thing, galloping up the mountain sides.
Visas are like trophies, we need two, China and India. Both very bureaucratic so should be a lot of fun. Our tyres are also showing serious issues so we shall have to get some new ones. Always hard work when Russian is not our first, second or any other number language for that matter. Oh well looking on the bright side, there is lots of oxygen around in Bishkek so we might just hang around and breathe for a while.
Well had a much needed haircut today. Hmm this involves picking a shop that looks okay, setting the ego aside completely and knowing that something functional will happen. I walk in, give the universal symbol for scissors, cutting with the fingers, get a smile and a nod in response and I am shown to a chair. From here it is in the hands of the gods. I attempt to indicate the length and style required, Reallty
When he pointed his horse out across a fairly fast flowing river, round river rocks on the river bed I did take a deep breathe. These people are born in the saddle. Kids everywhere seem to ride before they can toddle along. the hairdresser and softly spoken Chinese looking girl who only speaks Russian indicates she understands and this is where faith and liberation is required. I am pleased to say I have a hair cut. It is probably a bit shorter than I would have chosen in Aus, but she did a pretty good job and it did only cost about $4.00 AUD for cut and blow dry so cant complain.
We did get our Chinese visas, resorted to paying for the privileges of procuring a visa. Read corruption but hey after Turkmenistan we were not taking any more visa chances. Indian visa should be issued tomorrow and then there is the small matter of a new clutch for the car. We have been struggling to get the Queen Mary into gear. Found a Toyota dealer, just like in Aus but everyone except the café lady speaks Russian. She seem to have been promoted from the Café to be our personal translator and we were told parts not for two weeks. Panic.. we need to be in China by then so we indicate this wont work and they go away for about another hour. Nothing works fast around here. To say they Seasons are changing
Rain and some snow is the order of the late afternoons and evenings. We need to get visas organised and cross the Karakom Highway before too much longer. are pretty laid back is an understatement. We seem to spend much time waiting for stuff. They found an aftermarket one that should fit... can have tomorrow. Great lets do that.
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