• A foray into stability and a return to Almaty

    I’ve become entrenched in my own seemingly bottomless pit of procrastination.  Quite frankly dear readers I’m really tired.  The winter is taking the breath out of me and my knack for finding a decent story, usually derogatory to my own self esteem and pride. Yeah sure I’d woken up in a bar a few times …

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  • Horses, broken backs, goddesses and coffee shop wankers

    You knew it was going to happen, I knew it was going to happen, everyone knew it was going to happen.  I’m staying in Bishkek.  For the time being at least.  As much as Chinese New Year was tempting, the distance to cover, the weather and the visa are not.  Instead I’m languishing in the capital …

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  • The Bishkek bubble, blizzards and balls.

    Ahhhh January you little devil you.  Colder than a witches tit, and getting colder.  But the first few weeks fly by because you’re coming down from the parties good ol’ December was throwing you, and you’re still in a daze of booze blankets, mistletoe mishaps and regret.  And then just around the corner sneaks in that …

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  • New year, Bishkek visa run and losing our heroes

    As I’m still far behind due to being bone idle and actually having no real humdingers to regale you with, I’ve rolled a few stories into one just to keep you entertained and up to date, beginning with a brief description of my New Year.  Now as far as this goes, this wasn’t a bad’un.  Standing …

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  • Hookers, hitching, and holidays

    Christmas came and went pretty much as it always did – getting pissed up on Christmas Eve and cry-singing Fairytale of New York alone on a street somewhere in Almaty, Kazakhstan, while planting my face on ice.  The hitchhike to India was on a brief hiatus for the festive period.  I’d been venturing to a load of ex-pat …

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  • Hitchhike to India leg 52: Shymkent to Almaty

    OK so as ever over the festive period I’m way behind on current events.  Here’s the hitch to Almaty before Christmas, and I promise to get up to date soon.  If you’re wondering why there are no pictures (because I know some of you like that) it’s because I’ve left all my camera gear to …

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  • Hitchhike to India leg 51: Tashkent to Shymkent

    Right balls to this I’m off.  I had originally planned on sticking it out in Tashkent until after New Year, then popping off down to Tajikistan to attempt to hitchhike the Pamir Highway.  I mentioned that place to you before.  You know; avalanches, earthquakes, drug runners, altitude sickness, wolves, sub-zero temperatures and the Taliban?  Well …

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  • A nightmare in Tashkent

    As ever during the festive period I’m a little behind, so maybe it’s time (as I know many bloggers do) to employ a skivvy.  Honestly some of these entries takes hours and at the end of it I’m expected to try and promote the damn thing?  You’re all just going to have to wait.  Anyway this …

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  • Hitchhike to India leg 50: Samarkand to Tashkent and other stuff

    It’s cold.  The skies are drab and grey, and the wind is whipping through empty streets.  Streets that are thrust into darkness come half past four, presumably to save money on the leccy bill.  Uzbekistan feels like someone forgot to turn on the lights.  I’m sure in summer the sweeping silk road sunsets capture the …

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  • Hitchhike to India leg 49: Bukhara to Samarkand

    I had been living in a palace compared to my crack den in Ashgabat, and all for $15 a night.  Private room, brand new en suite bathroom with an amazing shower, and the bed was one of the most comfortable in a hostel I’ve ever had since traveling.  Seriously I graded it in the top …

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