POLICE IN BISHKEK: I
hanged out in the town for three days and they stopped me only once, but they manage to
steal me some money, even if absolutely harmlessly. (read the story)
COMMON HASSLERS: I met people stopping me (in Karakol),
saying they belong to the police showing some strange card. They wanted to see my
passport. NEVER SHOW IT, USE ALWAYS A FOTOCOPY saying the real document is at the embassy
for the visa.
KAZAKH VISA IN BISHKEK: it's a pain in the ass. The
embassy was opened only in the morning on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and it
takes two full days for your 72 hours transit visa. Go there early because you have to pay
in another part of the city (40$) and then come back to apply for it. You do not need any
ticket to proof you are in transit, anyway I showed my plane ticket from Tashkent.
STUDY SOME RUSSIAN: travelling in central Asia is
definitely worthwhile regardless your knowledge of Russian, but surely your entertainment
will be proportional to it, hence I suggest a minimum of preparation.
CASH: dollars are more accepted than euros, moreover you
can use dollars as cash almost everywhere.
WATCH IN KARAKOL: I walked in the evening
without having any bad experience but other travellers haven't been so lucky. Pay
attention especially to the drunks!
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