Kazakhstan, Cycling The World 10th-September-2012

Garry McGivern’s cycling around the world, Monday, 10th-September-2012, Qandyaghash to Aktobe. 57 miles. Fast ride this morning. I think it was the thought of spending the night in a hotel, well, that and a nice tailwind!

Spam and eggs
Spam and eggs for lunch

As so often happens when I get to the bigger towns, I can never find anything, so when people stop to say hello, I usually ask them where things are, like a hotel. Today being no different, I got stopped by these two young men who didn’t speak any English. But fair due to them, they always like to try and have a conversation, which was nice. I asked them where a hotel was, and they drew me a map, which I didn’t understand. So instead, they told me to follow them in their car. Off we set down the back streets of Aktobe, and after about two miles, we arrived at a hotel. After thanking them, they went on their way, and I went to check-in.

What a lovely, helpful girl on reception, I asked her so many questions about this and that. And if she didn’t know, she asked somebody else. She even wrote me a note to take to a garage so I could get some stuff to clean my chain with. Well, I think that’s what the note says. It might say something like, “I’m a tourist. I don’t speak your language, but just smile and humour me, and I’ll go away after a while!”

This might not be good. The hotel has a bar, which sells Stella! I’m already on my third pint, and I’ve not even been here an hour! They’ve also got good wifi. The TV in the bar is a bit odd; they’ve got the “World Fashion” channel on. Very strange! The models are so skinny and miserable looking and not really that attractive!

Please Donate

Don’t forget the main reason behind my ride. I want to raise as much money for cancer research charities as possible. After my wife, Josie, died of breast cancer in 2007, aged only 42. Even the smallest donation helps. You can donate to Cancer Research UK or the Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation. Click on either one to donate. Every little bit helps to rid the world of this cruel disease.

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