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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3.7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to\nSamarkand, where I will stay until Friday. Over the pass it is freezing cold\nand foggy today. But it was raining last night and sky is covered with heavy\nclouds, so it’s much cooler and easier to ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.7<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few\nanecdotes and encounters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\nTashkent, a guest asks at check-in at the hostel in a violent, outraged voice:\nHow can I get Internet on my phone. How am I supposed to be able to move and\norientate myself without Internet, call a taxi, etc, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some\npeople are so dependent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Uzbek\nguest, a guy, I did not know about, whether he told the truth or lying. He\nchanges his story every minute. He has never worked, is orphan, is 47 years\nold. He has 2 passports, one where he is 47 years old, one where he is 43 years\nold. He often goes to Dubai (I guess he works there). He jokingly says, that he\nearns his money with cocaine, then he says he trades in women. A loud cry from\na woman who overheard our conversation. Then he says quietly to me: I have to\nwatch what I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asks\nme if I had problems at the border or with the police. I say, they are all very\nfriendly to me. I ask how the locals are treated. Then he says, since the last\nchange of government, much has become better. But the government and politics\nare still causing many problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I tell\nhim: in Austria too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police is\nvery present in Uzbekistan. The traffic police is doing their work and issue a\nlot of traffic tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was\nstopped once, but they were only interested in where I came from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I took a\nbreak under a railway bridge in the shade once. That’s when military has been\nurging me, for whatever reason, to get out of there right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women are\nallowed to drive here. I only saw 2 in the whole time. Many people stand by the\nroadside and wave to be taken along by other drivers. Seems to be quite common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\nmulti-lane roads, Uzbeks usually are driving in the middle of the road or left.\nOn the right side you always have to expect that someone suddenly stops without\nany notice or enters the street without looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You meet\na lot of people who are traveling, a lot of people with different life styles.\nSometimes you are lucky enough to meet really interesting people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n