Happy birthday! The Pamir trip should be a true adventure, but it sounds like you have some good travel companions. I'm enjoying reading about your travels in Central Asia as my son and I traveled there in April 2013...too much snow to do the Pamir highway however.
Fabulous photos You have lots of fabulous photos in this blog Jenni. The Kniva walls are out of the ancient world. Had to comment. Fabulous. I've posted a taste in the Streetscapes thread in the Photography Forum.
No, don't stop traveling... a normal life is overrated. As for ATMs there is one at the Tashkent airport that gives U.S. dollars. That's one of the very few in the country. Exchange them for local currency on the black market.
Thanks Thanks for the comments and encouragement. I appreciate it. I have dollars but wasn't sure how to get to the town without the black market first...maybe taxi will wait for me to exchange? :) We'll see...last flight soon.
Visas for Central Asia... I had the same problems and ended up only getting a visa to China and Uzbekistan. Have a great trip. I've been following your summer vacations for years!
Life without your kindle I completely understand how heartbroken you are. The Alps looks amazing. We will be in Switzerland in March and hope the weather is as clear.
Another summer vacation come and gone.... You really are adventurous and your itinerary was amazing. You've pretty much been to all of Europe, so now you'll have to teach on another continent. I've enjoyed following your romp, and look forward to October and Decembers offerings.
We will miss your longer blogs... but will take whatever you have the time for. I'll be traveling the Balkans next April, so your pictures should provide inspiration. But do blog any interesting encounters.
When we lived in Stuttgart, Germany, upon waking up on a Saturday morning with blue skies... we would immediately jump in our car and head for Switzerland. It took us about 4 hours (for you it would be 165 km or less than 2 hours) to get to our favorite destination, Steckelberg at the end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the base of the Jungfrau, Monck, Eiger and Schilthorn. Now those are proper mountains with fantastic trails leading in every direction through alpine meadows. So don't miss out on your local sights!
D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Happy Birthday
Hope you are feeling better.