March 13th, 2009 
Sheila Simkin The Kyrgystan KGB had decided. They did not want a group of Americans kidnapped in their country especially since the American Embassy had put the word out that the Americans had to be protected at all costs. Instead, we would begin a marathon journey back to Uzbekistan via Tajikistan. If we happened to get kidnapped in one of those countries, the Kyrgy ass was covered.
Back on the bus from hell with a KGB man…View image…along to sort out new problems. Smooshed together in the back of the decrepit bus with all the duffels in front and propane tanks on top for fuel it was off to the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border for a semi-easy border crossing.
A big sigh of relief from the Kyrgyzstan KGB. Now we were Tajikistan’s problem. Another 2-1/2 hours on the bumpy road with Cokes and Fanta breaks every so often and time to stretch the legs. It was upwards of 95 degrees F., no uncarbonated water to be had, dying of thirst, and we were stifling and miserable. Felt like being roasted in a tin can… A bumpy tin can.
The Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border was in sight along with trucks lined up for miles. The Uzbek Custom Officials were eating dinner, didn’t want to be bothered and the border wouldn’t open until they finished. What could the bus do but stay in line behind all the other semis, trucks and wait another 1-1/2 hours in the heat and dust while our Tajikistan official escort argued with the Uzbeks. The Uzbeks claimed…”our papers weren’t in order”, etc., but what it boiled down to was they wanted a pay-off.
Eventually, the bus made it’s way across the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan check points in no-man’s land. Tajikistan Official now very happy because we had left his country without an International incident. The Uzbek Customs brought a mean-looking, drug-sniffing dog on our bus just in case this motley looking group was not what it seemed and…. Oh Joy!!! There was our comfy, air-conditioned Uzbek bus waiting for us just past no-man’s land. Transferred everything on and headed towards Tashkent. Dirty, exhausted, smelly extremely crabby (whimpering was allowed). By now, 7:30 pm and there was still another 2-3 hours left to drive.
The bus pulled up to the Hotel Shodlik Palace at 10:00 p.m. (really 11:00 p.m. Kyrgystan time since they were one hour ahead of Uzbekistan.) Barely able to function, but ecstatic to see a bed, toilet, and water. Missing? Our left behind suitcases with clean clothes. Management had locked up the bags…somewhere…no one knew where. Beyond caring, a bath, bed and we’d worry about clothes tomorrow.
The day from hell was over.
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Dear, Colleagues!
Greetings from Sunshine Uzbekistan!!!
We are Uzbekistan based Young Travel Company: prior to 2007 we were only focused on foreign tourist to our country and that is the only reason to contact you: as you are among the reputed and the best available tour operators in your country.
We have already done our home work by Planning “How and what we can offer different?”
This difference you will find in our itineraries and also in our way of working. Also you will certainly realize once we start working together.
Our main focus is on the unique and unexpected areas with great potential and offering our travel partner with a bookie of all the flowers available in Uzbekistan, so that when any customer reach them for a trip to Uzbekistan, they should have something exactly same: which customer is looking for.
I am very much thankful to you for your precious time which you have devoted reading this mail. Also I would request you to see our few itineraries(http://salom-travel.com/?page=tours) in which we have tried to put taste of uniqueness.
We have offered you here some Uzbekistan Itineraries. Please, select the itinerary that you can sell in your country. Or you can send us your own itinerary. According to your best choice and kind request I can make urgent quote for you.
For any query or doubt till here, feel free to contact undersigned and I am keenly waiting for your reply to discuss the proposal.
Have a nice day!!!
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Thanks & Regards,
Tulkin Sultonov
(General Manager)
1 Kuksaray square. 140157,
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Cell: +998 66 9389794;
Tel/fax: +998 662 31 08 87,
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