Over the Caspian sea,

Dec. 18. 2010


I arrived in Aktau in Kazakhstan. This town faces to the Caspian sea. I finally feel that my final destination, Istanbul, is getting close because of this ocean. Folks who can't imagine how far from Xian to Istanbul, just Google map the way, and you will see even Google can't find a way. My origami project looks good too. I didn't have any connection in this town, but already two schools are getting ready to welcome me.


I have been staying at a hotel since I arrived here two days ago, and today, I was offered a place to sleep by a local family. I was at a travel agency to purchase a ferry ticket, and the owner of this store offered the deal me. "We have a place to sleep and foods for you."　His wife said that I am the very picture of her second sun who is studying in Beijing, and his bed will be mine. Good job, second boy. Aktau was the most unclear town because of limited information, but it doesn't even matter to the lucky boy.


But I had terrible experiences to here from the last departure, Bukhara. I didn't understand why people's characteristic change that much in different locations. First of all right before my departure at Bukhara, my stupid bank in the US closed my checking account because they found my money had been withdrawn in so many countries. "Isn't what you always annoyingly saying INTERNATIONAL means? Open my account right now. This is all my money!!" Taxi driver said "Are you passing the board between here (Uzbekistan) and Kazakhstan? Sure thing, I'm an international taxi driver!!" He kicked me out from his car right in front of the boarder.　Since I was 100% right, I quarreled with the driver, but I certainly became quiet and decided to find another driver over the boarder because I noticed muzzles of huge guns handed by soldiers were pointing at my head. I hate to lie for even a penny, but I shouldn't die in such a middle of desert. I hitchhiked in Kazakhstan, and the driver left me in front of only one small restaurant in a village ...I think we miss-communicated... The lady at the restaurant was such a unfriendly!! "Do you want me to write a map to a closest station? **Tenge (Local currency)." "Do you want to make a call from here? **Tenge." "Do you want this piece of bred? **Tenge" She asks me to pay money even for a piece of bred...(But I stole some pieces of bred and cheese to survive!!! BTW, they were not their business. They are their snack.) "Can I use your bathroom?" I asked, and the toilet tissue was somehow free, so I used it much much more than I needed. Time was almost 5pm, and it meant that it had passed 24h since I left Bukhara. "I gave up. I will wait for a car by sleeping here." At the moment when I was about to be ready to sleep on the road, I found a local guy. He looked busy but I could resolve all problems I had such as ATM, foods, and transportation to Aktau because of his help.


"All about money." This is what I learned from today. That was sad to have such experiences, but this is true, and even I was sticking with some small money. So, this is my fault.


"You have to be cooler guy." I've kept saying this to me in these days.


Over the Caspian Sea, Istanbul is almost there.


Gor for it!! Chuji,