Three "K": KAZAKHSTAN, CORRUPTION, COSMODROME Darren Drew, UK In all countries, the locals warned us about the dangers of corruption. This problem exists throughout the world, but we cyclists, and often her face. Apparently, the corrupt reason is simple: if you do not have a car, most likely, you can not afford it, and if so, then you should not spend your time and look what you do there could be broken. All this is logical, until you find yourself in the area of ??Baikonur, which is located in the Kyzyl Kum desert. Baikonur - is a Russian version of the NASA (Russia leases from Kazakhstan to somewhere beyond $ 100 million per year). That is where the rocket was launched Yuri Gagarin, and he is as a result became the first man to go into space. This entire complex is situated 30 km from the main road, somewhere in the desert, and as previously done in the Soviet Union out of any reach. Around the launch site are the city Kazaly, Zhangakazaly, Baikonur and the village Zhosaly. The way I found it strange that an old hotel owner asked if we do not use drugs. "Sure, yeah, buddy! In your hotel handing out clean needles? "Naturally, I did not say, but only thought. But if reading my thoughts, in front of us instantly brought a policeman. He was very confident. A young boy, dressed simply, quickly showed his badge and then he hid. Face it is not very left, and seem to mind too. So, we were in an area with limited mobility, and he wanted to get money from us that all was settled. Frankly, we are more concerned about the fact that we could not afford room for the astounding amount for Kazakhstan 9000 Tenge (45 pounds). This meant that we missed an important match on TV. My friend Tati went outside to look after our bikes and at the same time make sure that the police do have do not "find". In the meantime, I asked the police to tell me his badge number, he said he was not, then I asked him to check my passport, but he did not want to do it. We have reached a "dead" point when he rang the mobile phone (mobile phones - the Achilles' heel of all Asians), I thought that the incident is settled, we are quickly gathered and left in search of another hotel, and most had never seen (sorry). Room in another hotel was worth 4,000 tenge. There was a TV and hot shower, which is a very important feature in most of the Kazakh hotels, where the price for the number itself is not particularly connected to his comfort. I flew out of the shower because I was very interested to see what looks like the one who drums in the bathroom door is about five minutes. Apparently, someone was very angry. I'm afraid it again the police, so I quickly rushed to the door, however, appeared before me a fat old angry Kazakh, who wanted to, I finally came out of the bathroom. Kazakhs that have come up with their hospitality, only to somehow compensate for the lack of real comfort? I have all this very much enraged! I told the fat man all I think about him and his physique, he answered the door slammed in front of me. In fact, his face was somehow familiar. Maybe I saw it on one of those portraits of important business people who hung hotel lobby? I'll have to go check, I said some local cone of Zhosaly go "play" with their camels. Fortunately, it was some other fat. Village life, but things got worse when we were asked to go to the police station, which was located across the road. The hotel owner said that we are in an area with limited movement, and since he was a cop, we have decided to believe him. The policeman was young, and on his head, he had some big weird hat that they're all wearing (perhaps this is to head not baked). He looked over our papers from cover to cover several times. Perhaps he thought that we lacked any punch or still need some document. But all was in order. Generally speaking, few people besides us is how hard it is to stay on the legal situation in this damn country. Guards sighed and Akhal like some prima donna. I already wanted to ask him directly: "Look, buddy, so yes or no, we should go or stay?" I have had no time for games, I just want to get a simple answer from the guy's arduous. It seemed that he waited until we give him a bribe. Well? By the time winter comes can. Although, as it turned out, this is all not over. He later returned, this time with a translator to convey to us his vision of how to divide the gold, Yanks. So, I'm on TV, who was too lazy to something to show, watching the England Team manager rake away one ball after another, and simultaneously trying to fight off a hint of an interpreter to ensure that we did cop a "gift". - I have at home - I said to him - the police (mostly) defends citizens, rather than "planting" them. - It's understandable - said the interpreter. - But you have violated Kazakh law. - Well, that is indicated? - For nothing indicates. - But it is so unfair. - How much do you carry? - Enough to eat. Three thousand KZT - I lied. He translated all the police, and after a brief discussion, they decided to keep up with us, and even tried to twist the antenna to make it easier to see football. Towards the end we nicely with each other smiled and exchanged handshakes. I was grateful to him for his understanding, because it could be worse. Although the first thing in the morning we will have to leave here. "Oh no! Let us stay! "" Well, we went to bed early, because football has disappeared in the mist of black and white noise. Now we have to wait for 2014 when the next championship will be held for those who earn too much and too much fun, underestimating the benefits of sound sleep and wake up at 5 am. And we are very pleased to wake up so early, so soon to leave this hole. Deadline for material:
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