I stayed in Bishkek for 10 days to get visa of Tajikistan. First I needed to get an invitation letter from a travel agency in Osh, and also special permission to enter the area of Pamir highway. That took me a week over weekend, and costed 50$. On Monday I applyed visa at the consulate. It costed another 50 $. Visa and the permission were issued in two days. The consul was fluent in English and helpful (and very beautiful). The process itself went smooth though it took long time.
When I went to the consulate first time, I met a Spanish cyclist and he gave me all the necessary information of the agency; what I should e-mail them, where a bank was, etc. That helped me a lot. Otherwise it would have taken me much longer time.
I met many other cyclists as well in Bishkek. Many have traveled longer than a year over the world. I enjoyed their stories.
Bishkek was a cozy city. Prices were much cheaper than in Almaty. Kyrgystan is supposed to be a Muslim country, but everything seems to be free in this city. Restrants are open despite the period of Ramadan. The way of young women wearing clothes is far from being religious. Notorious policemen didn't bother me once. (Mostly because I didn't go out at night. Others who did sometimes had trouble.) I enjoyed foods, booze, watching people in a cafe, going to bazaars, etc. Relaxed days. But 10 days were quite enough. Too much vodka and no exercise.
I'll move on again from tomorrow. It's going to be tough a while after lazy days.
17 Sep 2008, Bishkek, 7464km
