Кулоб

Flying to Kulob in a plane full of guys the same age as me feels like being on a university trip, exept for the missing girls ;). The seat reserving system seems to be “take what you want”, although I was initially assigned a seat in Munich. But this suits me well, I even get a window seat – from where I can admire the darkness of the night. – If I were not constantly busy with talking with the Tajiks, eating food or falling asleep. ;)

In the early morning we get to Kulob at 3 o’clock. I have no clue what to do, and I certainly do not expect anyone to pick me up – this early in the morning. So I try to get through the customs, who take my passport as one of the firsts. The customs dude takes it easy and continuous to process other passpots first. That’s fine with me and leaves me some space to explore the airport, that is, the rest of this 100 m² room :), into which also the luggage is unloaded – the luggage pick up is after the customs.

At once two friendly volunteers from IAESTE show up and and take me with their car to their home, where I can sleep 7 hours. The temperature is perfect, when the AC is runnning, but sweaty otherwise. – At 11 they take me to town, into the restaurant were also the Kulob soccer players (citizens from all over the world) are hosted. The food is excellent, and I wonder how my chocolates are doing in the car under the sun …

After visiting some famous Kulob monuments, the IAESTE guys organize a taxi for me to go to Dushanbe, the capital. On the way, we see the Nurek reservoir.

Later the Chinese built Шар-Шар tunnel and later a friendly police post that has no apparent reason.
In Dushanbe, I get to some place were other IAESTE staff picks me up, and brings me to the office, than the guest house. I take a firm sleep.