25 Sep 2008, Osh, 8177km (62km)

alt.800m

On 23rd and 24th, I cycled around the lake Kara-Kol, then the valley next to it, and came down to the Falgana Basin. The altitude went up 1180m at the highest, then down to 390m in the basin.
As I came to the basin, there were many villages, towns and people. So many of them greeted me, with waving, whistling, yelling, or nodding. Kids often run after me. I had to stop for them and shake hands, or let some of them to try my bicycle. Some people stopped me for a little chat. It didn't matter if I couldn't speak their language. It was as if it was their manner to welcome guests.
For each of them it was one time. But for me it was so many times all day. In the end I got tired of greeting, especially with whistles that they do to control their animals. Yet I had to turn around, smile, wave and be nice. Becoming a temporary popular person was tiresome.