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The Bicycle box

UZBEKISTAN

Mar
2004-09-14 15:10:54

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$200 a month, the average in Uzbekistan is about $30-$60 a month.

We buy a frisbee-shaped bread as lunch and wave goodbye to everyone. When was the time we thought that we had much luggage with us... A boy on a bicycle next to us created more space with a piece of wood across his carrier and with nails on top he keeps plastic bags in place to the left and right that are at least the amount of kilos we are carrying.

How warm these people are. Not the cross Russian expression we expected. We only meet colourful people that show us their golden teeth by laughing and who appreciate a joke. No sign of cheating or fooling the tourist.
Samarkand to Kokand (20-7-2003)This morning we have left Samarkand, here we go, first kilometers and first day.The wind is teasing us for 40 kilometers with a 7 Beaufort straight against, the road is endless and without any curve. If we look to the left its only dry and wide and on the background there are some sandy hills. What a surprise, if we look to the right it is exactly the same. What a disappointment. Short sticky plants and now and then a tree. The wind forces my bicycle to the right sometimes and my thought is that this is at least better than a move to the left under one of the many trucks or cars. Will this ever end, maybe change direction? We never reach more than 10 km/h, but... what is that... a Curve! After 12 hours cycling we are really tired of this desert en decide to search for a nice spot to camp, out of sight from the road.

Yesterday we collected the kitchen items on the bazar and on the way we have found a petrol station with Diesel for our stove. Shampoo and one liter of water each will make the bathroom. The radio plays local music on the background for us. A lot of the local channels play western music as well and when we hear ‘Summertime love’ (boys boys boys, I’m looking for a good time) we wonder if ever the video of this song has been broadcasted. ...