KYRGYZSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN
Some time ago I made a trip to Central Asia without the Reluctant Traveller, once again alone, and virtually on the spur of an opportune moment.
Curiously the countries I crammed into this visit would continually remind me of the man I left behind, hubbie Stan, but I assure you once I was on my way I gave neither him nor his name another thought. (Not really true- I missed him like mad!)
Curiously the countries I crammed into this visit would continually remind me of the man I left behind, hubbie Stan, but I assure you once I was on my way I gave neither him nor his name another thought. (Not really true- I missed him like mad!)
The trip began with a sudden impulse to visit Uzbekistan and in particular Samarkand of the fabulous Genghis Khan stories, not my husband's cup of tea at all.
This was a part of the world solo travellers had long found it almost impossible to enter; but where now, with Gorbachev in power and the Berlin Wall a heap of bricks, I rather hoped restrictions might be eased.
As I soon found out though, Russian consulates in various countries including Australia were still going by the old book. Sure I could get a visa, if I was an invited student, a relative, or part of a tour group and even then I had to detail where I was going, who I was staying with and on which particular day or night.
Not the 'will of the wisp' trip I had in mind. Clearly I would have to approach this project with a little bit of cunning. What was needed was a back door approach.
A sympathetic travel agent in Singapore happened to be on the same wave length and before long a little bit of bribe money exchanged hands.
Within two days I had an Aeroflot plane ticket and a very dodgy visa promising entry to Tashkent.
This was a part of the world solo travellers had long found it almost impossible to enter; but where now, with Gorbachev in power and the Berlin Wall a heap of bricks, I rather hoped restrictions might be eased.
As I soon found out though, Russian consulates in various countries including Australia were still going by the old book. Sure I could get a visa, if I was an invited student, a relative, or part of a tour group and even then I had to detail where I was going, who I was staying with and on which particular day or night.
Not the 'will of the wisp' trip I had in mind. Clearly I would have to approach this project with a little bit of cunning. What was needed was a back door approach.
A sympathetic travel agent in Singapore happened to be on the same wave length and before long a little bit of bribe money exchanged hands.
Within two days I had an Aeroflot plane ticket and a very dodgy visa promising entry to Tashkent.
The visa nearly caused my downfall.
The story of my travels through the Stans and the people I met are told in a separate blog...I've renamed it 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE STANS OF CENTRAL ASIA'...a complete story told in separate chapters...
Just some of the people you'll meet along the way.
 |
| Three ladies from Bukhara |
 |
| Wonderfully fierce looking but really very friendly |
 |
| If I was alone with a camera I must be KGB |
 |
| A chance meeting with a girl from Alaska |
Wandering through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan gave me an insight into Russia's influence on these two vastly different countries, and its continued presence despite the changes to the old U.S.S.R.
Particularly the 'catch 22' situation many of the modern young women of these countries suddenly found themselves in.
Looking back now several years later I wonder how these countries are managing, have they at long last shrugged off the mantle of Communist Russia, have they slipped back into the days of the veil and shador of Islam, thrusting their women back into a role of suppression.
Have they allied themselves with the troubled countries to their south, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Iraq.
oOo
To read this Central Asian Series - click this link to the The first of 14 chapters...Uzbekistan You Ask.
Robyn Mortimer
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love hearing from you, your comments good, bad or indifferent are always welcome..your anonymity will be respected. But remember if you want me to reply you will need to supply a contact email address otherwise I will never know who you are.