This is the cheapest double room that I could find in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It's 50 USD a night, including breakfast one fried egg on oily macaroni noodles. Welcome to Hotel Siyakhat. … [Read more...]
A Normal Day in Iran
Things have been (and will continue to be) a little more quiet here. Internet is abysmal in Iran and finding a place that has half-way usable Internet tends to be a challenge. In a way, that 's a bit characteristic for my stay in the Islamic Republic - solving everyday challenges without technology. … [Read more...]
On Ladas, Brandies and Indiana Jones
In the countryside of Armenia, Nokia brick phones rule. So do iconic 4x4 Lada Nivas. You might be wondering how those old Soviet rust buckets are still running? That's because they were producing them up until 2011. Those things are said to be unstoppable. Well, except maybe by EU emission … [Read more...]
My Experience with Airbnb in Georgia and Armenia
In spite of hours spent researching, preparing, and sending inquiries, I was unable to secure a single place to stay in Georgia via Couchsurfing. Not in Tbilisi, not in Gori, not anywhere else. It was somewhat disappointing, especially after 'surfing' a lot on my Africa trip and hosting more than 50 … [Read more...]
Clubbing with Iranians in Yerevan
The first surprise discovery I made in Yerevan is that it's some kind of Tijuana for Iranians. For them, it's a reachable paradise of personal liberties, booze, dancing and prostitutes. Most of the other people who stayed at my Airbnb host were in fact Iranian. From what I could tell though, their … [Read more...]