Sokuluk - Bishkek

On Sunday morning (September 29, 2019) we hit the slopes again after breakfast. We want to make our way further towards Bishkek, but we have to cross the next pass. Like the day before, Schrotti shows a lack of willingness to perform. Since switching to gasoline failed again (there is a leak somewhere), we continue to drive on gas. Before we even start the actual ascent, we pause at a parking lot. The coolant is boiling and we linger for a while, Kurt buys something and some honey. Then I continue to "chase" Schrotti up the mountain, Markus is afraid of breaking something. We continue on gas for a while, and then our Russian car finally runs out of gas. Slowly but surely, the gas should be completely empty now. We park again and I try again to pump fuel into the carburetor, without success. Then I decide to manually turn the car around and roll down the mountain in second gear until the suction engine supplies itself. And indeed, Schrotti starts shortly afterwards and runs on gasoline. So I turn around again and make another attempt to climb the mountain. It works much better, even full throttle is applied. We drive comfortably in second gear to the pass, park the car and rejoice. We decide to take a short hike and crawl up to a nearby summit. During this time, the weather changes a bit and it's time to descend again. After a coffee, we go back down with Schrotti on the other side of a tunnel. Back in populated area, we try several times to refuel with liquid gas, but without success. Either the gas is empty or our filling nozzle doesn't fit. It is already dark when we are stuck in traffic in Alexandrovka. For almost an hour, we can only move forward with stop and go. In Sokuluk, we buy something small and then look for a meadow about 2 km north of the settlement to set up camp.

On Monday morning, I wake up to drizzly and foggy weather. After breakfast, I retreat under Schrotti's sheet metal and write something for a travel report. Meanwhile, Markus and Rango organize firewood for the evening. In the afternoon, we take a walk to Sokuluk, buy the essentials, and I treat myself to a haircut. Then we go back to the tents, prepare a meal, and sit by the fire for a while in the evening.

For Tuesday (October 1, 2019) we plan to continue to Bishkek. After dismantling our camp, we drive the about 20 km to the city and check into the Dos Guesthouse. Rango gets to sit comfortably on Schrotti's back seat again, while we sit around in the hostel kitchen. It's raining outside. So there is time to have a more elaborate breakfast with our daily coffee. Pancakes with chocolate cream complement our hot drink. In the evening, the rain has stopped and we take a first stroll in Bishkek. After a small shopping trip, we return to the hostel and I use the WiFi to upload some pictures for a while. Finally, around midnight, I go to bed.

On Wednesday, I get up at half past seven and take a a stroll with Rango in the morning fog. Then the Big One gets fed and I enjoy breakfast in the hostel. Both Markus and I can't resist the offered jam. Then we do laundry, I write a travel report, and after a coffee, we head into town and visit various outdoor stores. Markus needs a sleeping bag. In the late afternoon, we are back at the hostel, prepare dinner, and relax. After another stroll with the Big One, we finally go to bed late at night.

Thursday (October 3, 2019) starts with breakfast at the hostel for me. Then I go out again with the Big One. Back at the Dos Guesthouse, there is time for another travel report and a coffee, before we head back into the city. The destination is the Osh Bazaar. On the way there, I replenish my wardrobe with some new clothes from various second-hand stores. At the Osh Bazaar, I treat myself to some tights, as we plan to go to the mountains again soon and I expect low temperatures at night. After taking another stroll at the market, we return to the hostel and spend the evening in the hostel kitchen once again.