Central Asia

Going back to the real world from the “other world.” Leaving Central Asia, on my way to . . . Puerto Rico. Seriously.

Central Asia is fun — perhaps a little too much fun.

I went to the first McDonald’s in Kazakhstan. I was the only customer there.

I came into Aktau to visit the emerging port / SEZ area, but found a place that was incredibly interesting for many reasons.

Aktau has an address system that’s relatively unique. The streets really are unnamed.

Aktau was once one of the Soviet Union’s closed city, a secret work camp that few outside of it knew existed.

Into the land where people go to battle for barstools.

A traveler daydream interrupted.

Want to eat dinner at 5am? Want to start drinking at eight in the morning? Want to stay up all night long in a cafe? In Bishkek this can be done.