Shymkent

I was able to make it to my flight just in the nick of time, as in, when I arrived, everyone was already boarding the flight.

The flight itself was spectacular as I had views of the Tian Shan mountains all the way through. I didn't realize just how majestic the formations were.

It was only a short 1 hour flight to Shymkent and from there I took a taxi to my hotel, BnB Hotel Shymkent. When I arrived, they had upgraded me to a deluxe room which was one of the biggest flats I have ever seen. A huge bathroom, a private bedroom, a giant living room, and a kitchen too. Like dang. The place was simply too big for me.

I left my stuff and set out for Sayram, an ancient 3,000 year old city, just a short bus ride away from Shymkent.

First order of business was to get some food, I ended up in a fast-food chain for chicken. I got a chicken burger and chicken shawarma which I regret getting because the burger was already enough. I tucked the shawarma in my bag thinking that it could be for dinner.

I went mausoleum-hopping around Sayram. It seems most of the sites here were burial grounds for Sufi saints. I went to Mirali Bobo Mausoleum first which was just standing there unassuming on the corner of an intersection. The Central Mosque was also quite impressive. I went to Karashashana Mausoleum next and the view of the Central Mosque was much better there as it seemed to protrude out of the bushes that stood as a wall around the mausoleum.

My last stop was Abdil-Aziz Baba Mausoleum, where I saw some pilgrims stopping by. I tried going to Mavzoley Ibgragim Ata as well but I realized that the public transportation here was too unreliable and I might be stuck here for a long time. I opted to take a ride back to Shymkent instead.

Back in Shymkent, I went through the Ordabassy Mosque and ended up giving my shawarma to a beggar there instead. Better her than me I guess.

I walked over to the Citadel of Shymkent but it was still under excavation. I got to take a peek when they opened the main gates. I was sitting down relaxing until a guy started to beg me for money so I just took off from there. I tried to go to the Koshkar Ata Canal because they were saying that it was a sacred and healing spring but when I got there, after a long bus ride to boot, it was really dirty. Turns out I was in the wrong area, but since I was nearer to Akmeshit Mosque, I just pushed on forward.

Akmeshit Mosque was particularly impressive with its giant white facade. It had this post-modern look to it as well. I waited for my bus there for a long time but after it seemed like it wasn't coming, I booked a Yandex. Even after that, the driver failed to show up so I ended up talking to some taxi drivers and asked them to take me to Jami Mosque.

Which was also under construction when I arrived! Bummer. I walked back to Ordabassy square and found the actual Koshkar Ata Canal here. I washed my face after all the exploring today. It seemed like during summer, the people would swim here.

I ate dinner at a nearby historic restaurant, and by dinner, I meant a huge platter of fruits! I was so tired of eating meat the whole time and just having the opportunity to eat lots of fruits was certainly a blessing for me. I took a bus back towards my hotel and on the way, a dog with a collar started to play with me. It was sunset and it was a moment.

I was so happy to be back at the hotel though. The huge space was a welcome respite after a hectic day.Read more