Ladies! Kyrgyzstan Otmok Warning/Advice
 

Hi everyone.

I'm currently on a 5 month motorcycle trip from England to Japan. We arrived in Kyrgyztan a few days ago and am amazed by the stunning landscapes in this country. It has the best roads I have ever ridden. We've ridden from Otmok down to Jalal Abad, then across to Kazarman, to Song Kol and are currently heading to Ysyk Kol Nature Reserve. However, I would like to share a bad experience I had on the first night in Otmok.

We ended up staying in a Yurt at the side of the road near the river. We had dinner with an amazing family there. I decided to write in my diary next to the river when some lads called me over saying I could have a cup of tea with them. I walked across the bridge, and I could see my partner John following about 50m behind me. As I got there the lads asked if I wanted to sit on the horse and of course I did so they helped me up. Next thing I knew a man had jumped on the same horse behind me and was leading the horse up a mountain pass. I didn't think anything of it at first. I was really excited to be seeing the beautiful mountains ahead of me on horseback and assumed one of the other lads would take John on the same route. After about 10 minutes I became aware that no one else was around us. I was getting further away from John and our friend Max and I had no idea where we were going.

Then the mans breathing got heavier and I started to feel uneasy. I asked when we were going to turn back but he kept leading the horse further away, sometimes galloping. Then his hands began to brush over mine, and he began to touch my waist. He started kissing my shoulders. I felt scared, isolated, and I started trying to think of ways to get out of this situation. I kept saying "no", "net" and shouting. He would hold his heart and apologise then it would start up again. Still getting further away. I didn't know where I would be in the next hour. I started to think the worst. Then he began trying to put his hands down my trousers. I can't explain the amount of fear that came over me. I shouted again, and this time attempted to lift my leg over the horse. He did stop. And I shouted and shouted, telling him to turn back. This time he did. He turned the horse around. I was still confused as to where I was. Only mountains in site. After being out with him for an hour and a half I finally recognised a hut in the distance where I knew John and Max were.

The whole way back he constantly kept trying to touch me. He kissed me over and over. His hands kept wandering but every step back I felt a little more safer. When we got to the bottom I pointed out John. I had told him I was married and was wearing a ring on my wedding finger. It hadn't stopped him. When we stopped he got off the horse and went straight in to his hut, maybe to hide? I don't know. But when I finally walked back across the river I realised just how much my heart was beating. I was in shock. John and Max thought I'd been having a great time and as soon as they saw me they realised that couldn't be further from the truth.

I am lucky he didn't go further. And I am lucky I was wearing a long sleeve thermal top with my motorcycle trousers and boots. It would have made it a lot easier for him if I wasn't. Sometimes I try to be too independent. And too trusting. I was very stupid in this instance. We had heard Kyrgyzstan is a very friendly place. Maybe I just got that one bad experience. Although do be careful of kids throwing stones at you on the road too. I don't want this to put people off seeing this fabulous country. I just want to tell ladies to be on their guard. I don't want the same thing happening to anyone else. Safe travels people.

Katy X

Yes Kyrgyzstan is stunning but you do have to be careful. When we camped at Song Kol we had our food taken from our panniers overnight. The next day whilst stopping at the top of the pass to check out the view there were several young boys on horses and other men with a car drinking Kumis which they offered to us. Whilst engaging with the Kumis drinkers the boys on the horses stole my wife's gloves off the seat of her bike. No amount of reasoning with them was to any avail and we left without her gloves. Fortunately we carried extra sets which she put on after we had descended a few kilometres. Later that afternoon whilst stopped in a small village looking for fuel, we were spontaneously invited into a house to join in the celebrations of a new born babe reaching 1 month of age. It was a very warm, friendly welcoming experience. Such are the vagaries of travel, and human behaviour.

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.

Such a shame about your experience in Song Kol. I can imagine that must have really upset your wife at the time too. Song Kol wasn't the best for us either as when we stopped for a break two men on horses came over and started shouting at us and saying we had to go to a yurt. We didn't. We carried on riding past the lake til the end where we stopped and made ourselves a tea. Like you said though, you also do get some beautiful people but unfortunately I think those few experiences have made us pleased to be back in Kazakhstan now. A tough muddy ride in the rain yesterday but had a lovely warm greeting in a cafe in Kegen Kazak. Heading to Almaty today.

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.

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 :)

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.

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. :mchappy:

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?

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!

My girlfriend even got harassed in India when I was 10 meters away. More then once. But it shows that you can never tell what is going to happen up front.

Weird experience as well
 

I can definetely undestrand: I was backpacking alone in Pamir Highway, last year, and in Langar the homestay's host was so drunk that he tried to enter my "room" (just a spare room close to the luchroom) multiple times. He couldn't even walk properly, or switch off the light... I had to lock the door, in order to sleep and feel safe. :(
Totally got your feelings, girl. But we are stronger than that!

Thank God there was a lock on your door! Can imagine it must have been horrible trying to get to sleep. The same night after my horse riding experience we had a drunk man kick down our yurt door shouting at us. Luckily the owner got up and dealt with him. I kept my head down whilst listening to the comotion.
Youre right though, we're stronger than that. Safe and happy travels.