Dasoguz - Kamil supermarket

Just after the border is the city of Dashoguz, the third-largest in the country.
We stop at a local supermarket to do some shopping before continuing our journey.

Nothing like the local bazaars and markets. Here, they sell Nutella and Barilla, along with many other Western brands. We’re stunned by the price (the equivalent of €33 for Nutella, 19 for some Barilla), but we quickly realize that there is an official exchange rate (1 = 140 manat) and a parallel "black" exchange, much more favorable one.

I have breakfast with an excellent coffee and continue wandering down the aisles.
On one shelf, side by side: an Iranian juice, an American Sprite, and Dobry Cola (the Russian substitute for Coca-Cola after the sanctions). A practical sign of Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality.Read more