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Ladies! Kyrgyzstan Otmok Warning/Advice Ladies! Kyrgyzstan Otmok Warning/Advice
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  #1  
Old 26 Jul 2018
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Thanks for sharing! We are now in Kyrgystan and will go over somewhat the same route, but not over Otmok (or Bishkek)

I guess we shouldnt be to far away frpm each other at all times.

There are also these stories of women being kidnapped to marry someone. But this can also be set up by the family of the woman, because they think it js taking too long (they think you should be married with 21)
But Im not sure how much it affects tourists.
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  #2  
Old 27 Jul 2018
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Originally Posted by Lovetheworld View Post
Thanks for sharing! We are now in Kyrgystan and will go over somewhat the same route, but not over Otmok (or Bishkek)

I guess we shouldnt be to far away frpm each other at all times.

There are also these stories of women being kidnapped to marry someone. But this can also be set up by the family of the woman, because they think it js taking too long (they think you should be married with 21)
But Im not sure how much it affects tourists.
That is horrible. We were asked quite a bit if we were married. The guy on the mountain was even telling me he loved me. Argh makes me shiver thinking about it.

Where will you be heading to after Krygystan? We are now back in Kazakhstan. Will head north to Altay then across to Mongolia maybe mid August.

I hope you enjoy the beautiful scenery in Krygystan. It is fantastic.
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  #3  
Old 27 Jul 2018
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Originally Posted by Kayne View Post
That is horrible. We were asked quite a bit if we were married. The guy on the mountain was even telling me he loved me. Argh makes me shiver thinking about it.

Where will you be heading to after Krygystan? We are now back in Kazakhstan. Will head north to Altay then across to Mongolia maybe mid August.

I hope you enjoy the beautiful scenery in Krygystan. It is fantastic.
We are just in Osh now and will also go to Vladivostok and Japan over Altai and Mongolia. We have to be in Mongolia beforew 22 August. So similar route but maybe a bit behind you.
We are actually a family with two very young daughters. We travel with a 4x4 van.
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Old 29 Jul 2018
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Nice! What 4x4 do you drive? I will PM you my mobile number. Only use it when we have wifi but if you have whatsap you could keep us posted with your route and see if we cross paths at any point. Would he great to meet some fellow travellers
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Old 1 Aug 2018
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Ugh. I'm really sorry you had to go through that. Sounds absolutely terrifying

Just a week ago I was crossing no man's land to Tajikistan and it was getting late and the soldiers at the outpost invited me to stay there. I wasn't sure if I'd make the Tajik border in time and it was looking like it was going to be very cold at night and I wasnt feeling keen on camping alone in no man's land so I agreed.

They were mostly nice, but then one got his English-Russian phrasebook out and started practicing the "romance" section on me. Then at night he put his mat down next to me and kept trying to spoon me - and I'd push him away and say no, but a few hours later he'd be back at it again... for the entire night.

Honestly I'm getting a little fed up with some of the men here - if I'm with any other foreign men they act as if I don't exist, but when I'm on my own it's as if they think I'm just easy picking.
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Old 1 Aug 2018
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Attitudes towards women in that part of the world are not the same as in the west and it's as well to be aware of it. Men are not sophisticated, particularly out in the sticks, and may well be of the opinion that "no" means "maybe". Many female travellers have passed successfully but others have had bad experiences - I recall Kinga Tanajewska telling of her time in Mongolia where a local on a horse led her supposedly towards a safe river crossing, until she realised he was just heading for a secluded spot...

Be aware, ride safe.
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  #7  
Old 3 Aug 2018
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Originally Posted by hsinclai View Post
Ugh. I'm really sorry you had to go through that. Sounds absolutely terrifying

Just a week ago I was crossing no man's land to Tajikistan and it was getting late and the soldiers at the outpost invited me to stay there. I wasn't sure if I'd make the Tajik border in time and it was looking like it was going to be very cold at night and I wasnt feeling keen on camping alone in no man's land so I agreed.

They were mostly nice, but then one got his English-Russian phrasebook out and started practicing the "romance" section on me. Then at night he put his mat down next to me and kept trying to spoon me - and I'd push him away and say no, but a few hours later he'd be back at it again... for the entire night.

Honestly I'm getting a little fed up with some of the men here - if I'm with any other foreign men they act as if I don't exist, but when I'm on my own it's as if they think I'm just easy picking.
That sounds horrible too! And for a whole night! Do you travel alone? Are you ok? it must have been so frightening for you also. Argh makes me angry!

Your last paragraph completely sums it up. Just read it to my partner. I get fed up of being asked a question and when I go to answer they ignore me and look at John. Then, like you said, it goes for one extreme of treating you like you don't exist to thinking they have the right to try and abuse you. I understand that things work differently here but when you're fully covered up, wearing a wedding ring, and just trying to be a respectful human being it doesn't seem to matter. I'm not saying it is all the men, I have met so many brilliant people too, especially in Kazakhstan.

Have a fantastic trip. Where do you head to next?
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Old 6 Aug 2018
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Originally Posted by Kayne View Post
That sounds horrible too! And for a whole night! Do you travel alone? Are you ok? it must have been so frightening for you also. Argh makes me angry!
Yeah I travel alone - I'm in Uzbekistan heading westwards back to London. It wasn't frightening as much as it was really annoying - I gathered that the amorous soldier was a bit lower down the totem pole so I thought if he tried anything more I could probably make a huge fuss.

The funny thing is I spent 2 months in India and for all its reputation I didn't have a single problem!
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