Taras - Hotel Rosa

On Monday morning, September 23, 2019, we pack our seven things into Rango in the Moskvich and, after breakfast at the Dream Hostel, continue our journey. On the way out of town, we want to exchange the USB adapter we bought the day before. The part is too short again and I want to avoid another improvised wiring if possible. Actually, we wanted to visit a workshop in Shymkent to have our new wheel bearing installed, but there was no suitable establishment on our way. So we leave the A-2 highway north of Shymkent towards Aksu. In Alasch we have to stop, Schrotti has run out of fuel and doesn't want to start again. After a short search, the problem is identified, we need a new distributor. The spare part from the previous owner naturally does not fit, so I search for a replacement in the nest. I am lucky, I can buy a suitable part, install it, and shortly afterwards the car is running again. Then we drive to Mankent and wait at a workshop. The bearing replacement quickly turns out to be quite complicated. A screw that blocks the way to the bearing is stuck and can only be removed by brute force after a long struggle. The mechanic is already fed up before he has even tackled the actual problem. When dismantling the old bearing, one half of the two-part inner race cannot be loosened and is simply removed with a grinder by the car uncle. Creepy. The hub, to which our new bearing should be mounted, is also damaged. No replacement can be found in the nearby area. We go into the next room where a lathe and a grinding machine are located. Turning down the hub is apparently not possible according to the turner. Nevertheless, the part is processed by welding and then ground 'round' by hand. Manufacturing tolerances are overestimated! Then the new bearing is installed, here too only brute force helps. When the man with his hammer can no longer continue, the press is used. I can hardly watch. Finally, our new bearing is installed and then reinstalled on Schrotti. I ask if the new bearing is okay and holds up. 'Everything normal,' says the man. Well, after all, it was a Russian product, maybe it has to be like that!? Then we continue to Taras and it doesn't take long until the just installed bearing makes itself noticeable with noises. After the installation tour, I would also go on strike after a short time. After dealing with a few problems with the gas supply on the way, we reach Taras in the evening. We buy a few things, book a hostel, and make our way there. The ladies at the Hostel House want to charge 50% more rent than stated on booking.com, but we still check in for 1500 tenge per person per night. After dinner, the day finally ends in the unpleasant-smelling four-man room.

After a nap with Rango, who has fallen asleep in the car again, we have breakfast and then check out of the Hostel House on Tuesday morning. We organize a new air filter and turn signal flasher for Schrotti and look for a new place to stay. Finally, we decide on a room at the Rosa Guesthouse. The lady at the reception advises us to check in in the evening, as it would be cheaper. So we park Schrotti in front of the establishment and take a walk around Taras. We walk along colorful flower beds and well-kept parks towards the city center. We pass an old mosque building and stroll through a park next to the city's historical museum for a while. There are particularly many sculptures here, which sometimes enhance the green areas more, sometimes less. From an observation tower, you can overlook most of the city, which is mainly characterized by small houses. Then we treat ourselves to some samsa (filled pastries) and then take a break. The greasy specialties sit heavily in our stomachs. Before we check in at our hourly hotel in the evening, we buy a few things. After the samsa, Markus and I agree that a salad is the appropriate meal for us in the evening.

On Wednesday (September 25, 2019) we sleep in and spend the time until late afternoon at the Rosa Hotel. The establishment exudes its own charm through its consistently maintained socialist chic. Then we take another turn around the city in the afternoon, visit a large modern mosque, and walk along the Ushbulak Canal to Lake Zerbulak. Then, during the evening twilight, we return to our accommodation. After dinner, the day comes to an end in a Soviet atmosphere.