Elections!

(From Sv�bi)

Hi all

First of all, sorry to repeatedly putting the adresses in the TO line instead of the BCC. Last time my whole email got screwed when I accidentally set the keyboard to Chinese letters and then pressed ESC... At least the Uighurs learned some good Swiss curses. AFter this I wasnt paying so much attention anymore...

Now we are in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgysztan. Its too hot again, but not nearly as bad as it was in Pakistan. We just got used to the cold mountains very fast, and I will take off to them soon again. The others stay in Bishkek a little longer, a week from now or so, but I will go to Lake Yssyk Kul and the mountain valleys around Thursday already.

The drive from Kashgar was pleasant and interesting, and the border crossing was rather easy. The only problem was that we somewhat miscalculated Diesel consumption and did not take any Chinese Diesel because it was a little bit more expensive. When we crossed the pass, the tank showed almost empty. It just uses more at 4000m above sea level, and this thick, black cloud behind the car must come from somewhere (not enough oxygen and no electronic compensation). We still were faster than the trucks.

BTW, I just discovered that there is the coolest mouse mat design I got: its a black Trans- Am in front of a huge villa. For all in the know, this one does not have a wandering red light on the hood... For all not in the know: its about time you learn something about K.I.T.T.!!!

Well back to topic. In Kyrgysztan the road was the worst I ever saw yet, with potholes so deep that you could see a reddish glow at their bottom, and thousands of them. The best route was many times at the very side of the road, with the car tilting at alarming angles. But we made it, and we even figured that we had enough Diesel to drive into a side valley to Tash Rabat, an old caravanserai in a lush, green mountain valley. The silk road once passed through. We stayed in a yurt, a member of Shepherds life, an organization helping local herders get tourists. It was very friendly and nice, and the next morning we went beating up our asses.

It was my first time on a horse, and therefore I was a little worried. But all worked well, it was exciting and I had a nice horse. The fun started when Hynek discovered that the way to tell them to run is to whip their asses, and I also went into gallop once. But when it took a while to slow down the horse again, I decided that this was not the thing to do for the moment, since we went up some rather steep hills and I didnt feel like squashing my camera and my ribs in a fall. We felt like cowboys, of course. This is to be repeated.

After this we found some Diesel, not before we took the patrons from Tash Rabat with us to the next village where they went to visit their parents and to pick up their car.

Their car was an Audi 100, which is the Kyrgysz Paykan, so to say (remember, the one and only Iranian car, Paykan, which is being replaced by the KIA pride now). Baltic traders buy them in Europe, fix them up and send them all over the former Soviet Union. At least I know the fate of our car now, it will have a nice afterlife. And at least they are original, not like the Chinese version. IT is called Red Flag, and looks like an Audi 100, but supposedly isnt. It is a rather posh car with a cool symbolic red flag sculpture on the hood.

The next night we went up some valley and asked if we could camp. They were surprised we asked and said something like of course. It was Russian, so we dont know exactly. We camped in sight of their house to avoid any misunderstandings, in a beautiful, wide and green valley, right next to a little creek. This awaits me in the second half of this week again, beautiful.

So right now there are elections, today, and everything is calm. Lets see if it stays that way, but the general vibe is good. There was a free concert two days ago on the big square to motivate the young to go vote, even Ruslana from Ukraine was there. Quite some happening. There we met some of the organizators, and were quickly introduced to more people, including some Swiss. Of course. It was very nice, and so our time here is enjoyable once more.

The army is everywhere, spread out through the parks, lazying in the shade and being happy they are not needed. Today I saw a dozen or so verrrry scary dogs, so better abstain from mischief.

One other thing: forget the changing of the guards in London, no discipline and ridiculous hats. Go to Bishkek, they are way cooler (although their oversized Soviet hats are not bad either). There is only two guys guarding the flag, but three come to relieve them, one to oversee the procedure, and their version of the silly walk is even better than John Cleeses. It takes them about ten minutes to walk down a stair that normally takes one minute or half a minute, Maybe Hynek can film it. I made some pictures, but you have to be patient.

Our further way is uncertain, we probably avoid Ferghana valley and cross through Kazachstan on a transit visa, directly to Tashkent. Next time, there is the beautiful route from Bishkek to Osh and further down the Pamir Highway waiting, but this has still time. Would be interesting, but there has to be some dreams for the next trips left.

OK, enough written, I need an excellent Apricot Ice cream now, good bye. The next mail will probably come from Tashkent.

BTW, sorry to everyone I dont answer directly, but it is no big fun sitting in Internet cafes for me, so forgive me. I still am happy to read your answers.

Greetings

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