Bishkek

Day 13 - Onward to Kyrgyzstan

Woke up at about 7.30. Definitely could’ve slept in much longer but since the train was due to arrive at 8.50 I had to get ready. After departing the train and walking through the horse of taxi drivers trying to talk me into a fare, I went to the post office then took the metro to Moscow station, where after a quick toilet break and trying a burger at Hardee’s (I think Burger King grills em better), I caught the 21 bus to Sarayan long-distance bus station.

The station looked very much like an old Soviet bus station, but it was very nice that there weren’t taxi drivers outside trying to pull me into their cab for a large fare to another city. After asking for directions I made it to the Bishkek section of the station, bought the ticket at a very reasonable price of 1500 tenge and went over to the marshrutka at the end of the station, a newish Mercedes model van. I was overjoyed to see that I wasn’t get squeezed into some measly old overheating van. After waiting about a half hour to fill up it was time to say goodbye to Almaty, for now.

Crossing the border

The ride to the border was relatively quick, the border crossing involved the standard staredown from a border guard, followed by questions relating to any non-standard passport activity. In my case, it was asking why I went to Iran twice if I am not a Muslim. Telling him several times for touristic reasons didn't that convincing. After the formalities, I crossed the border, got hounded by a horde of taxi drivers trying to convince me to ditch my marshrutka ride and instead take an overpriced ride in a beat-up Lada. Naturally, they didn't convince me.

Now the first impression I received it that Bishkek is a world apart from Almaty, and the part of Kazakhstan that I have been to. For one thing, you could easily see the lacking funds in the infrastructure. Poorly maintained roads, bad cars, poorer people. What used to be part of the same Soviet Union together with its northern neighbour Kazakhstan is now a world apart, at least at first glimpse. Let's explore this statement in more detail in the coming few days.

Arrived at the hostel after a 25-minute walk. Everybody eyeballed me on the way so I was probably very interesting, to say the least. Tried this fermented drink called Shoro. It’s definitely an acquired taste.

Out in Bishkek

In my dorm room, I met a young American dude Ben, who is actually an English teacher in Astana, Kazakhstan, and a successful one at that with his a number of online video and tv appearances. Chatted a bit and had a night out in Bishkek. Went to Metro bar and later to an empty sheesha bar, can't remember the name but it sounded quite cliche.

Day 14 - Around Bishkek

Finished off the last of that funny Kazakh cereal and got to Osh bazaar around 12. It was very eastern, with unsavory characters here and there. With the hustle and bustle, it was all in all similar to a usual bazaar. Though people here seemed much less pushy than the green bazaar in Almaty, mostly very friendly. I bought a pair of Adidas thongs to replace the broken thongs back at the hostel. After talking about where I’m from in Russian for a good 5 minutes I somehow negotiated the price down to half a euro.

I also purchased some cherries initially without bargaining, but on the condition that I could take some photos of their fresh produce without any reservations from the sellers. They were happy to comply. The photo from the heading is from the tool and maintenance area of the bazaar.

Eventually, I decided to pop back to the hostel for a short relax and bought a cappuccino coffee on the way at a local franchise called begemot for about half a euro. Relaxed on a bench while sipping on it and wondering where to go next today.

Went back to bazaar later and bought some souvenirs. Can’t believe how much cheaper they are than Kazakhstan, incredible.

Afterward, I walked to the Lenin memorial and independence square complex and got there just before sunset. The Lenin statue is larger than life indeed.

Next: Ala Archa