Journey Around the 5 Stans: Small Bits

Ken Powell, a seasoned globe-trotter and experienced photographer (powellphotography.ca), blogs (powellponderings.com) about his journey with Adventures Abroad’s 21 Day Five Stans Tour, which covers Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. His insights, images, and expertise offer a wonderful glimpse into this extraordinary tour.

What is travelling but without a few challenges and getting greater insight into the world that we are part of? Whether it is the next town or another country across an ocean and several time zones, there are eye-opening experiences that make you appreciate what you have.

Toilets I Must Describe

This had to be in my notes. A trip travelling over 10,000 miles (locally) and this many methods of travel and varied foods and drinks that challenged the gut produced its full share of toilet challenges.

There were Western-style toilets in the hotels and some restaurants. Then there was the “crouch down and aim backwards” squat toilet style that Western tourists talk about. Everyone on our trip was advised to carry their own toilet paper as there usually was none to be found. On the rare occasion that there was some, it had a unique sandpaper, grade “rough”, quality to it.

I have a few signs that are hilarious. One of my favourites is the two side-by-side pictures of a person to illustrate the good and bad choices one could make on a conventional sit-down toilette. Stick people are used to illustrate. Beside the word “yes” he is sitting; beside the “no” he is leaning forward and blasting, a definite no-no! Also when using a Western toilet, they want to let you know that standing on it is not correct.

The old adage “never pass an opportunity” sure was true. Our guides were careful in advising us of the possibilities, or lack thereof.

One other characteristic: the guardians of the facilities and takers of the toilet tolls are usually female, and they take their responsibilities seriously. You cannot get access unless money is produced (and usually in such small denominations that you often don’t have it). They all have golden smiles; gold teeth are a common orthodontic feature (of both the women and men).

Borat Echo

I couldn’t get the black comedy movie starring Sacha Baron Cohen, out of my head. Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was quite a controversial film when it was released in 2006. Borat was offensive in the funniest but cringe-inducing way.

Borat, the fictional Kazakh journalist, travels through the US supposedly to make a documentary which features real-life interactions with Americans. He travels with two companions, his producer, Azamat Bagatov, and a pet chicken. Two scenes of many that linger are Borat’s horribly memorable and disgusting nude brawl with Azamat, plus the proud introduction of his sister as the “number four prostitute in all of Kazakhstan”.

At first, the movie was denounced by the Kazakh government and was banned in almost all Arab countries. But I was told they are now more relaxed about it. The Kazakh ambassador to the United Kingdom wrote that the film had “placed Kazakhstan on the map.” The Kazakh Foreign Minister attributed a rise in tourism to his country due to Borat.

Maybe the idea of FacePay is a benefit from the increase in tourism but regardless it "looks" like a great idea!