It's finally time and I'm half way there already! I've taken a bit of a gamble with the bag so we'll see if it turns up in Ashgabat but even if 'it' doesn't make it, 'I' will and if I have to dress like a Russian and scowl at everyone for the next 3 weeks then so be it.
For those of you not in the know, I've taken leave of my senses (again) but this time I'm attempting to find my way through 5 of 'The Stans' or to give it's formal name, Central Asia. The trip starts in Turkmenistan where I join an old acquaintance for a week long tour of what appears to be a very strange yet fascinating country that almost nobody appears to have heard of. After some desert camping, cave swimming and horse riding I cross over to Uzbekistan where I'll follow the Silk Road through the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand before arriving in the former Soviet metropolis of Tashkent. Heading south I'll cross the border into Tajikistan and cross the Fan mountains on the road to Dushanbe. A quick flight to Kyrgystan will see me taking in the capital Bishkek before arriving in Kazakhstan and the bright lights of Almaty and Astana.
It's not been easy, in fact it's been a living nightmare at times, but I offer my sincere thanks to those that have held me together throughout the planning. No matter whether you've cut my hair, taught me Russian, got me drunk, kept me sane or most importantly inspired me to do it then believe you me, it means a great deal more than I can tell you.
So it's onwards now from the ludicrously busy yet mega-efficient Ataturk airport to the City of Love and, hopefully, my trusty backpack too.
Glory or insanity awaits!
C.
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