Lofalitsidwa: 19.06.2019
The train journey from Beyneu to Nukus was a great experience. Unlike the two boys, I was able to sleep soundly because the sound of the wheels had a calming effect on me. But at 10 o'clock, I woke up because my bladder was pressing so much.
But I didn't really want to go to the toilet, I could imagine what it looks like, which turned out to be true. But you have to go through that too.
Since there is a large kettle of boiling water in each compartment, we first had a coffee and ate cookies. But then an endless stream of saleswomen went through the train. The offer was great: money exchange, drinks (cola, water, very sweet juices, etc.), food (pancakes, dumplings, sweets, and salads). Then the clothes, bags, mobile phone, and toy vendors passed by, and we felt like we were in a bazaar. There was haggling, trying on, and money changed hands. It was noticeable that almost only women were traveling with their children. The few men were old men. The children played hide-and-seek, tag, some fiddled with their mobile phones or played very simple card games, but they never got so loud that it became unpleasant.
I made my beads (rings) that I gave to the girls.
But after 14 hours, we were glad when we arrived in Nukus.
Stephan had found a guesthouse, and after 5 km we reached our destination, a very cozy house with a beautiful green garden. The three of us got a room. Quickly showered, shopped, and cooked. Ate and drank beer in the garden, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
The next morning, Johanna and Konstantin joined us for breakfast, they are travel acquaintances of Nathan. They are 20 years old and traveling by car. We all decided to go to the museum together in the afternoon. We spent the day running errands, exchanging money, doing laundry. And since it was scorching hot (39 degrees), we lazed around in the garden with a cool melon. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the museum visit, so we decided to stay another day.
Nathan left early in the morning, and we spent a great day with Johanna and Konstantin at the Igor Savitzkiy Museum. In the 1960s, he bought over 40,000 works of art from Russian ordinary citizens and exhibited a collection of art in his museum. Then we went to the big bazaar, which wasn't as oriental as it was described.
In the museum, the two boys had a huge burger, of course, with meat. The result was that the next day we couldn't continue our journey as planned. Stephan was in bed with a stomach upset and fever.
I used the day to write a letter and set up my blog, which took forever and didn't work properly. But it was nice in the garden.
On Sunday, we finally set off, Stephan not completely recovered, but we managed 60 km with the three adversities of cycling - headwind, uphill and downhill, and heat.
At 50 km we came to a cafe where we were invited to spend the night in a yurt on the banks of the Amu Darya. Baked fish with a good sauce, tea, and beer were served. After that, I felt sick.
We slept in the yurt, on the carpeted floor, very well.
The next day, after 70 km with the usual adversities, we reached Xiva and found a simple but very cozy and family-friendly accommodation in the old town. A stroll through the old walls fascinated us.
More about it tomorrow and greetings to you healthy and lively.
The cyclists Corrina & Stephan