Day 10 - 01st June, 2012 : Bishkek to Khujand, Tajikistan

2.15 a.m. : We are still driving. Tajikistan has still not come. Driver is very sleepy. He is also distributing the goods which he brought in the parcel van.
Road was good to some extent. Chinese are making kyrgi’s Border road which will also be the army road.  This road is mostly used to reach Tajikistan as we are doing today. Chinese Road is extremely good but just made in patches.  At the Kyrgy Post my passport details were noted in a Register.
We reached Betank town at about 3.30 a.m.  Driver was very sleepy. I told him to sleep now and we will go in the morning.  But he continued. First he stopped at some places and gave his parcels of oranges and other items.  Then some other persons came and one taxi came who would take me to Khujand in Tajikistan.  This driver was arranging every thing.  In fact last night Junus was co-ordinating my travel and talking to the Driver and giving him instructions. He was like Godsend.  Otherwise it would have been quite difficult and costly for me to cross the border. My bag was shifted and now the taxi moved to Tajikistan border. He seemed to be going to place by passing post. I stopped him and told him that I have to stamp my visa and Passport at the border by Tajikistan otherwise I would be in problem. He moved back to the place where we entered the barracks which were not impressive, untended road and risen by one side.

Bishkek (Kyrgyztan) to Khujand, Tajikistan

We stopped and Military Immigration persons took my passport. This was Kyrgyzstan side, I came to know later.  He said India, Hindustan.  A senior Officer looked at my passport from all sides, all visas, Kyrgyzstan visa from different angles, from where I am coming.  I was guessing their questions and answering one, two or three. Some words would be correct. Finally, he stamped and gave me the passport after making many entries in a Register.  There was a barrier and after 20 meters  again there was another barrier. A small young man of 18-19 years with Khaki dress and hat with rifle was standing.   Another young Officer was sitting inside a small room. Here again the virtual of passport checking started. Five times he went through the passport and could not locate Tajikistan visa. Then he asked me to stand outside. He also went through my passport many times and finally wrote in the Register. Now he went to another room where his Superior Officer was sleeping. After some discussion he came out and finally stamped my passport and showed it to me. I did not check and came, sat in the taxi.  I thanked him before that and we shook hands. Now I stepped out of the taxi and checked the visa stamp. It is O.K.  Then we drove for half an hour. I slept until the driver said it is your hotel. I got up and saw a very tall building named Hotel Hejand.  I said him no it would be very costly.  He was arguing. I thought it would cost US $ 100 a day.  Anyhow, I wanted to check.  We both came inside. The reception was closed and inside a musician woman got up and told me US $ 7 is the price for one bed.  I did not believe and asked 2-3 times and she said yes and gave in R.No.122 on 12th Floor. She took my passport. Driver brought my bag but he was not allowed to go inside.  The woman did not know English but escorted me till 11th Floor through the lift. I did some finding and we have to go to 12th Floor by stairs.  The room was a dormitory with four wooden beds and a table. One bed was in the outer room where window pans were broken. Beds were also in broken state but one was o.k.  Outside was a shower with a big tub and a toilet. All broken or in bad shape. Toilet seats were not there.  No water at this time. I walked the floor. This is a dormitory floor. Some girls were sleeping on the other side. There were 3-4 set of bathrooms and toilets. This was the worst example of a Youth Hostel.  I kept my baggage in one corner and went to sleep.