Journey Continued

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 

Arrival - July 6th

3pm: I feel like this journey to get to Turkmenistan is never ending. So far I have been at it for about 30 hours. The last leg of the journey consists of leaving Frankfurt and making a stop in Baku, Azerbaijan before taking off again in the same plane to Ashgabat. The initial nerves from leaving home have completely faded. Jumping from one plane, to another, with long layovers, and trying to find places to sleep has made it like one long exhausting day. I am unsure of what to expect when I get there. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly.  

10:23 Azerbaijan Time

The second part of my Frankfurt to Baku flight got interesting real quick. First, the family sitting behind and next to me was flying with twin 3 year olds. I could say we are now Bff with the way the crawled over me, under me, and on top of me. The poor mom kept apologizing but the kiddos were way to cute to really care. We all switched seats about 20 times.

Second, the turbulence was bad! Easily this flight was in the top three bumpiest flights I have ever experienced. On top of being scared the flight attendants kept going over the loud speaker to tell us to sit down as the mom and I chased her child up and down the aisle every time they would escape the seat belt.

Third, there is a big difference of the planes they give Europe and the ones they fly into the Middle East and Central Asia. No tv screens at all, no outlets, 2 bathrooms, and a few other downgrades like rock hard seats. One lady questioned the lack of amenities and the stewardess said that it was only a short 5 hour flight. I am not complaining more just making a note on the quality difference. 

Finally, the stop off in Baku should probably be the only stop. Clearly they have to use that leg of the flight to justify the flight ever being able to get to Turkmenistan. There is no way they could operate a direct flight because there currently are old 6 of us on the entire 200 person plane!

11:55 Ashgaat, Turkmenistan

Wow I finally have made it with no real problems along the way. The airport was totally deserted. The airport was built only a few years ago and is in the shape of an eagle. Everything is beautifully colored white and green. The pillars are made up of intricate shapes that signify the four carpet symbols that can also be seen around the country.

I wish I could have taken a lot of pictures but I had been warned that many things are off limits bad didn't want to test my luck. However, I did snag a selfie walking down the main terminal. Right after I did four guards arrived following me. I was being paranoid. 

I got my visa with no problems, went through passport control, and grab my bag. Before exiting the airport a bunch of guards scanned my bag and searched it throughly for cigarettes and drugs. While they were doing this they chatted with me about being a tourist in very broken English. They kept giggling the whole time like I was comical to them.

Max, whose real name I can not pronounced picked me up and took me to the hotel for a good nights rest!