Looking Back

Let me say just one thing: this was one of the most amazing trips I've ever had. Central Asia is quite hard to understand, which is pretty obvious, given its cultural, political and historical diversity. It was therefore even more worth a trip. It's not always easy to travel, though, which is probably why we basically met no other travellers at all. But again, it's a unique place and definitely something one should have seen once. So feel encouraged, folks! Thanks again for all the support we had, from our families and friends, from all the amazing people in Kazakhstan and from all others that helped us in place (I'm just thinking about what we had done without any help at the Kazakh-Uzbek border, left alone with this nasty declaration form, which existed only in Russian and Uzbek...;-)..we'd probably still be in jail or so..). See you at the show..or rather on the next trip! Rock on, Dan

Bukhara

For decades, the holiest city in Central Asia and a stunning old city! A part of the city still entails buildings from the 5th!! century. The former Jewish quarter, with its small pathways, make you think you are back in the 19th century. There is no sign of electricity and the houses seem to be ready to collapse at any time. Its wonderfull to strawl around, enjoy the weather (35 degrees) and soak up all the impressions so different from my own. The selling techniques from the little children is amazing, they surrounder you at the moment you turn into a street. I have to admit that I have some difficulties resisting those big brown eyes........

Samarkand

We encountered tourists! For the first time in over two weeks, we've seen other tourists. Samarkand, and then especially ther Registan (see pic), is one of the highlights of central Asia and particularly important for religious reasons. After Mekka, one of the most important places for Muslims. Although not religious at all, I am overwhelmed by these buildings and the atmosphere that is graspable everywhere. We stay in a nice hostel, about 50 meters away from the Registan and jointly take our dinner at the hostel with other travellers. Strangely enough, these other travellers appeared to be French, all of them!

Tashkent

We crossed the border!!!!!!!!!!!! After 3 checks at the Kazakh border, 2 declarations in Russian and 4 pass controls and a customs control at the Uzbek side, we were allowed to walk in Uzbekistan. After a couple of hundred meters, we found an old couple who was willing to drive us into the city, to the hotel we found in our lonely planet but which - unfortunately - didn't exist anymore. Thank God (or Allah) that it was just 35 degrees and we carried our backpacks, normal bags and some souvenirs along with us. Puuuhhh! Several people warned us about policemen and their will to approach foreigners for whatever reasons in order to ultimately increase their low monthly wage. Maybe we look too angry, but we haven't been approached yet.

Anyway, we found a cheap place in this 2,5 Mio inhabitant city and went to "Broadway", the central street where tourists usually pay too much for a decent shashlik. So did we.

We clearly entered a more oriental country, a conclusion we drew even more when travelling to Samarkand and Bukhara in the days to come.

The streets are really crowded with officials and policemen. However, we avoid them by changing lanes and not staring at them without reason. Still, it is quite common to see cars being stopped at the side od the road. These controls - so we are told - often end with a small fee and no further inquiries ;0)

Hopefully we can avoid them for the next 6 days as well. We'll let you know!

At the time of writing, an Uzbek officer it sitting opposite of me in the Internetcafe. Since another officer warned us not to take pictures of cars, a guess he won't like this photo on the site either. Let me quickly finish this post and leave the cafe. For some reason, a certain kind of "danger" is attached to these officials, even for me......

Shymkent

We have reached the most southern city in Kazachstan, Shymkent. During the traintrip from Almaty, we met 3 young locals who were kind enough to arrange a taxi and give us some tips regarding places to visit. Besides, a friend of a friend of a friend of Alibek (the friend of a friend of Daniel) showed us around and introduces us everywhere as his dearest friends. Among the places we visited also the local market, where we met his mother who sells bread in one of the numerous market halls.

Palace of Peace

Ok, here is the real contribution after several comments about the contents of this post. In Almaty, we hopped from touristical attraction to touristical attraction. One of the most impressive was this pyramid, if I remember correctly the palace of peace, located in the top of this building. The photos were taken in front and inside this building and show (besides Dan and me) Alibek and Alma.

Almaty

OK, this is where it all happens. On Easter Sunday at 8.10 in the morning, after a train journey of 15 hours in the VIP compartment (with own shower) of the fastest train around, we arrived the biggest city of Kazakhstan, Almaty. Alma's father picked us up at the trainstation and drove us to our new "home" after a delicious breakfast at their place. Great hospitality. The next two days, we had our personal guides: Alma's parents, their nephew and friends of Alma's (Ali & Binura) made our 3 day stay more than enjoyful! Thanx again.

Fascinating in this area is also the nature. To the South, Almaty is surrounded by mountains. Its wonderful to spent some time there, even the President enjoys a skiride from time to time in this area!

Unfortunately, I can't show you some pictures we made because of the camera problem. Howveer, several pictures have been made by othes and I will publish some of them on short notice.

Take care friends,

CB

Astana

On Friday, we crossed the Russian-Kazakh border and arrived in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan. The funny thing is that this city was nothing more than a village about 10 years ago, till the President declared it to be the new capital. As a consequence, the "new city" was mainly established or build in the last few years. An example of the vision of Astana as the new capital is Bayterek, the tower with the golden egg on top. From this egg, you can see the headoffice of the state oil company, the defense ministry, the ministry of foreign affairs and the Presidents palace while turning 360 degrees. The golden egg stands for all wishes of mankind, unreachable up in a tree. Or so I was told. In this egg, you can put your hand in the presidents hand mall and make a wish. By doing so, your wish will - obviously - come true.

CB

Sverdlovsk

After a 28 hour trip by train from Moscow to Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk) we now see a completely different kind of Russia. We haven't seen any tourists in this 1.4 million inhabitant city, and people actually stare at us because we simply look differerent. In our perception we have certainly crossed the Europe-Asian border. The trip by train has been rather hard, mainly since we had to drink a lot of Wodka with a Russian officer who did not take "no" for an answer. However, we survived and had some time to relax at our Hotel just opposite of the trainstation here in Sverdlovsk.

In a couple of hours, our trainjourney continues. This time, it will take 25 hours before we arrive in Astana, the capital of Kazachstan. Halfway the trip, we will cross the Russian-Kazach border, a next exhiting moment.

We will let you know whether it worked out fine or not. Till this moment, we didn't encounter any problems. The Russian authorities have been rather nice and helpfull and we haven't been in any awkward circumstances. Hope you are doing fine and wishing you all the best.

Take care,

CB

Moscow

What a turbulent city. Hugh both in size as well as in diversity. We did all the touristical stuff and are heading for Kazachstan tomorrow. Unfortunately this will be the first and also last picture, since my camera broke on the very first day. Another stunning thing is that there seems to be no middle class. Either you get a sandwich for dinner at a kiosk for 50 cent or a proper meal at a restaurant for 50 Euros.

Take care people, further stories will follow soon. Keep us updated what's going on at "home" as well!

CB