Page 56 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
P. 56

Safety & Security

               As you travel, exercise the same caution and awareness that you would in a large American
               city. Don’t be overly nervous or suspicious, but keep your eyes open. If you are venturing out
               after dark, go with one or two other people.

               Carry a one-day supply of cash in your pocket. Carry most of your money in a travel pouch or
               money belt under your shirt. Replenish your pocket supply when you are in a safe and quiet
               place, or in our vehicle. Don’t leave valuables unattended in your hotel room. Every hotel will
               ZʬP] `^P ZQ L SZ_PW ^LQP L_ _SP Q]ZY_ OP^V Z] LY PWPN_]ZYTN TY ]ZZX ^LQP

               Pickpockets may create a sudden distraction. In any sort of puzzling street situation, try to
               keep one hand on your money belt. If an encounter with a local turns out to be long and
               complicated and involves money or your valuables, be very careful. Con artists sometimes
               target travelers.


               Taking Photographs

               The etiquette of photographing most people in the countries on your itinerary is about the
               same as it would be on the streets of your hometown. You need permission to take a close-up,
               but not for a crowd scene. Be especially considerate if you want to photograph a local—to take
               L [SZ_ZR]L[S bT_SZ`_ _SPT] [P]XT^^TZY NZ`WO MP aTPbPO L^ TY^`W_TYR Z] ZʬPY^TaP  4Q dZ` bLY_
              to shoot a great portrait, show interest in your subject, try to have a bit of social interaction
              ʭ]^_  ?SPY `^P ^TRY WLYR`LRP _Z TY\`T]P TQ L [TN_`]P T^ :6  DZ`] ?]T[ 7PLOP] NLY SPW[

              ;WPL^P OZ YZ_ _LVP [SZ_ZR]L[S^ ZQ XTWT_L]d [P]^ZYYPW  XTWT_L]d NZX[Z`YO^  Z] Z_SP] ZʯNTLW
              TY^_T_`_TZY^ [P]^ZYYPW  ^`NS L^ [ZWTNP   ?ST^ XLd ]P^`W_ TY _SP NZYʭ^NL_TZY ZQ dZ`] NLXP]L
              4Y ?`]VXPYT^_LY  dZ` ^SZ`WO YZ_ [SZ_ZR]L[S RZaP]YXPY_ M`TWOTYR^& TY @eMPVT^_LY  LOO _SP
              Tashkent Metro Stations to the “no photos” list.

              4Y X`^P`X^ Z] L_ L]NSPZWZRTNLW ^T_P^  _SP]P XLd MP ]P^_]TN_TZY^ ZY `^TYR dZ`] ʮL^S  ;WPL^P
              ZMPd LYd ^TRY^ Z] OT]PN_TZY^ Md ^_Lʬ& _SP YZ ʮL^S ]`WP []Z_PN_^ _SP Q]LRTWP L]_TQLN_^ LYO
              artwork from damage by repeated exposure to light. Occasionally, there may also be a small
              fee levied by the museum or site for the privilege of taking photos. Your Trip Leader will
              advise you beforehand.

               Toilets

               Although all our accommodations feature western-style toilets, almost all rest stops on the
               road and almost all public restrooms will have eastern-style squat toilets. For female travelers
               who are novices at using a squat toilet, a skirt might be easier to maneuver than trousers.
               (This does not mean you need to wear a skirt every day, just that it might be worthwhile to
               bring a skirt for days with long transfers through small villages.) Another option is to wear
               trousers, but roll up the legs. Some former travelers to Asia have also suggested looking into a
               device like a GoGirl or Shewee.











                                                             56
   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61