In preparation for my trip and research I've been following news in Central Asia. Some iffy but common corruption instances and a lots of presidential decrees. I often hope for a bit of excitement but not too much. Got too much excitement this week waiting in Bishkek. Riots in Barskoon/ Kumtor mine, where I was hoping to research mobile use in a wealthier village, has had some environmental issues and villagers got mad. Rode hours into a headwind along Issyk Kul, expecting protests of a few dozen villagers, but was turned back. Between news updates Thursday night and starting riding Friday morning, the whole town came out protest and bullets started flying. So I turned around and headed out. Got to kochkor after riding through desolate wastelands, along irrigation canals, and past highways to China.
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