#flights to Uzbekistan

[tanyagotravel]

The divine Silk Road pitstop - Uzbekistan

Being one of the most significant rest scenes on the Silk Road for 1500 years, Uzbekistan is still considered a divine pitstop for travellers. In the first chapter “Uzbekistan pre-travel hacks to know” I shared the essential information for designing a memorable and hassle-free trip to this fascinating Central Asian destination. Now, you know how to arrange transportation to and within…

[networkthoughts]

Uzbekistan Airways opens reservations of flights to Goa 

Uzbekistani carrier Uzbekistan Airways has opened reservations of flights to Goa – Manohar International Airport, Mopa for winter schedule. The airline will operate twice a week service with the A320neo fromTashkent’s Islam Karimov International Airport to Goa’s Manohar International Airport. This will be the third destination in India for the airline, as it already serves Delhi and Mumbai from…

[avaf00rd]

Little Shits 4

Arsenal wfc x teen!reader

Auswnt x Teen!reader

summary: you cherish some special and cheeky moments with you club team during your birthday week, and the end of Camp with you national team.

warnings: none, maybe that its edited shit - someone teach me to feel confident with my writing again so i can actually write something good

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“You can’t make up your mind, mind, mind, mind, mind!” You and Alanna screeched into the microphones on the team bus back from Marvel stadium.

“Make it stop!” Kyra screamed over the extremely loud music, covering her ears, causing other girls to laugh and yell in agreement

“Shawty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover!” You sung into Caitlin’s face in her seat, she recorded you as she laughed, you would later find that video on her insta story.

Alanna threw you over her shoulder as you walked back to your bus seats once you were both finished your karaoke song. Voices gone.

You and your national team had just won against Uzbekistan with a wicked 10-0 and were officially going to Paris. Something you had been losing sleep on for weeks.

“You have ruined Justin Bieber for me you two!” Mimi yelled over the rows

“Oh get over it!” You yelled back laughing

You had some of the sprite bottle that was in your backpack to cool down after the performance before Alanna laid on your shoulder from next to you. “Tell me I’m dreaming and we don’t have to get on a 3am flight”

You pinched her

“Ow don’t pinch me” she exclaimed as she rubbed the now red skin

“Dreaming?” You laughed “we are going to be awake the whole night before that it’s fine”

“I’m already tired” she said before muzzling herself back into your shoulder.

“You’re boring” you said already bored at her energy level, getting up out of your seat while the rest of the bus was still singing and going nuts in excitement.

When the bus reached the Hotel you all took the lift to your respected rooms. You all had roommates this camp, and you were with Caitlin as she would usually room with Sam.

When you reached your room you both plopped onto your bed's before you reached over to the phone next to you as Caitlin got up to use the bathroom.

“Room service?” You asked as she had left the room to shower, before she quickly popped around the corner again and pursed her lips at you grinning. Implying a cheeky ‘yes’.

You dialed in the number as the phone rang to the kitchen and greeeting the staff on the line. “Yes just two of your cheese burgers, two fries, one side salad, two chicken nugget meals please and your umm…chocolate Sundae as well as your strawberry one” you said, ordering a lot for you and the hungry brunette

Caitlin came into the bedroom once again, giggling at your requests on the phone.

“20 minutes is fine. Thank you!” Before hanging up the phone and putting it back on the bedside table.

“I’m not gonna have any room for my airplane food!” Caitlin said

“I don’t understand how you like that stuff”

“Airplane food is great” she shrugged

You both had 1 hour before you had to leave for the airport. It wasn’t long at all, considering you both had stuff scattered around the apartment. Caitlin’s face cringed in confusion at your choices but left it before she got on the phone with her girlfriend and your Arsenal Teammates Katie.

—————————

“No fucking about alright? Everyone is tired” Mackenzie warns you and Kyra as you are lined up for boarding, large carry ons in hand and an all too eager duo consisting of you and your best friend.

“Hm” Kyra shrugs at the tall brunette

“We won’t, I’m tired too you’ll be fine” you reassured Mackenzie

As you slowly made your way down the boarding bridge you yawned more than twice on your way you were sure. Greeting the flight attendants you and Kyra made it to your respected seats.

You had fallen asleep after an hour, which is what you were specifically not meant to do due to all of the London Aussies trying to align themselves back with European time. But you slept for five hours and now you were up. Bored as nothing else as basically the rest of the plane slept.

Peeking over the small separator of a wall between you and Kyra, you found her dead asleep. Mouth hung open like drool was about to drip out any moment. You sent a photo of the girl in her state to your Matilda’s group chat, attaching ‘I hope all you who didn’t have to leave at 3 are having fun🥰’.

Quickly deciding to get up and go to the bathroom, you found Mini waiting at the bathroom door for someone to come out so she could go. She found you walking down the aisle and smiled at you before opening her arms slowly to hug you.

You lazily accepted her arms and slumped into her embrace. “I fell asleep just before” you said leaning into her side, keeping your feet grounded as the plane slightly felt wobbly.

“Naughty” Mini chuckled

When the older woman came out of the bathroom, Mini offered for you to go first but you insisted she go. Then noticing a very tired toddler in her seat a few rows down from the bathroom as you waited, Harper yawned bringing her smaller arms up to stretch which made your heart melt. Her tired and slow eyes found yours as she smiled before opening her arms for a hug.

Even though you were quite a fair bit away for her, you made your way back down the aisle to sit next to her in her overly large seat. She crawled into your lap, resting her body there. You, Carefully stroking her arm and looking around the plane at some of the girls asleep, you had completely forgotten about needing to use the toilet before Mini came down the aisle once again.

———————————————

“And to all those returning home, welcome home” the captain said sweetly over the overhead speakers, Kyra rolling her eyes. You had slung your carry on over your shoulder and prepared to get straight out of your seat once Kyra had gotten her over-head carry on out.

“Hello London” you said once you finally made it to baggage claim and stopped to stand and stretch for a moment, before resting on your suitcase waiting for the other girls to grab their’s. Katie would be picking both you and Caitlin up and would drop you home. Teyah picking Kyra up.

“Oh my gosh can I please get a photo y/n!” You heard an excited voice behind you. Your tired expression immediately vanished as you turned around on your heel to meet with the voice.

A girl and a boy that looked about 10 years old stood there cutely with their phones out asking for a photo. “Me?” You asked smiling

“Yes! Only if that’s okay” the short boy said

“Of course” you smiled before putting your handbag on top of your suitcase so you could take the photo.

“We are Australian too! We are on holidays” the girl explained once you handed her phone back to her after you all took the photo

“Oh I thought I heard some Australian accents” you laughed “what do you think of London?”

“It’s very cold” the girl said

“Yeah” they both laughed

“Oh I agree. Bit different from Australia. What are your names?” You asked them

“I am Emma”

“And I’m Luke I play soccer like you!” The small boy said after his sister

“That’s awesome wow!” You said excitedly.

“Hey y/l/n, Katie’s here” Caitlin said from behind you. Not seeing the two young fans that you were talking to just yet.

“Caitlin Foord!” The little girl said excitedly before they both ran off to her. The small boy waving to you as he ran.

You looked a little to the left to find the Irish girl standing there smiling at the interaction, you walked towards her before she started to do the same to you when she noticed you. You hugged, a hug that felt long because it felt soothing to be in her arms like always. Every time Katie hugged someone, it was liked she always framed them in her arms perfectly.

“How you going tiny?” She asked looking down at you with that wide and comforting smile.

“Good”

“Good” Katie mimicked you

“Very tired but I’m happy” you shrugged before pulling her back in. Before feeling a slight tug at the hood of your jumper. Caitlin pulling you away from Katie, so she could greet her. You grabbed your suitcase quickly while they kissed and did whatever else you chose not to look at for too long.

“Let’s go” Katie said grabbing your suitcase off of you so she could hold it before you all walked to her car and out of the airport.

————————————————————————

“Vivvy I don’t need your help” you groaned as Viv came over to where you sat at the dining table, attempting to help you with your homework for the 10th time tonight.

“We aren’t starting this movie until it’s done and unless you want to be hated from us collectively I suggest you pick up that pen” Viv stated trying to keep her words firm and clear.

“Kyra I’ll have one” you pointed to Kyra who was at the fridge getting herself a coke. Completely ignoring Viv who attempted to help you hurry up.

“I give up we are starting the movie” Viv said before walking back to the living room where most of the girls were already.

It was a team bonding night with some of the girls who lived super close to you, Kyra and Alessia’s building. Everyone forced the idea on you that you would host. As no one else was bothered to host and cook for everyone.

You were quite a good cook as the 16 year old yourself. So you gave in, but had deadlines for your online school due tomorrow that you were nowhere near done. The girls found out about your deadlines and made sure you finished them.

“I’ll just ask for an extension” you shrugged getting up and heading to your kitchen to grab the coke off the island that Kyra left for you.

“You can’t just ask for an extension every time” Caitlin, your Australian teammate, said from her position leaning against your kitchen counter, digging her grimey fingers into the leftover salad on the counter.

“out” you flicked her fingers out from the bowl and pulled her arm with you into the living room. “Yeah well I don’t know my teachers so I don’t care” you shrugged before you both sat down on the couch. Caitlin having to take the floor, sitting in between her girlfriend’s legs, due to there being no more space left in the couch nor the beanbags.

“Excited to be 17 tiny?” Laura said from her position on the couch next to you

“Very” you smiled sweetly. It was your birthday in two days.

“That reminds me. Game day in two days, so we can’t watch this full movie” Kim said from the other end of your couch

“Oh come on” Leah groaned like a child to her club Captain

The movie had been playing for around 45 minutes now. When Kyra’s intrusive ideas quickly sprung up and she was sharing them with you. “If we snuck out no one would notice” she whispered

You quietly chuckled at the comment that came completely out of no where, before some of the girls turned to look at you, as the movie scene playing was definitely not that funny.

“Mate how are you gonna do that”

“Your gonna do it with me” Kyra said, you laughed quietly dropping your head and shaking it.

“Yeah and where the hell are we gonna go”

“We can literally just go to my apartment or the lobby. Just to see how long they notice, or how long it takes for them to finally find us” she said finally now leaning back into the couch to act casual, but waiting for your response. Instead you headed to the kitchen

“I’m grabbing water” you said as the rest of the girls eye’s stayed on the screen, Kyra’s following you before quickly getting up and following you when you motioned her to do so.

“I’m in, come on” you whispered before grabbing your key and heading for your front door, which was luckily behind the couch where the rest of your friends lay.

“Should we take our phones?” Kyra asked looking back before she shut the door behind her.

“Nah” you shrugged before Kyra finally shut it, very, very gently.

Bad idea.

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Vic’s Pov

I got up to use the toilet, softly apologise to girls as I stepped over their legs that sprawled out over the carpet before I made my way to the bathroom. I knocked, remembering that Kyra had gone in not too long ago.

“Kyra?” I questioned softly after hearing not response, knocking again. “Kyraaa” I dragged out as I very very gently opened the door slightly to see if she was even in there. When my head finally poked through, I saw no one there. Walking in to double check, there was no one.

“Guys where is Kyra?” I yelled from the bathroom not too loudly. There was silence for a moment as none of the girls bothered to respond to me.

“Where’s y/n?” Katie yelled back, making me exit the bathroom and go out to see the rest of them. “Y/n” Katie slightly yelled across your small apartment. Going to check your bedroom and guest bedroom. “Did you say Kyra was gone too?” Katie asked me as she walked to the rooms, the movie now paused.

“Yeah she’s not in the bathroom like I thought she was” I said before following Katie, me laughing slightly once we checked both rooms only to find them not anywhere.

“Fuck me” Kim said under her breath, now getting up front the couch, Teyah also getting up along with Lia. Viv and Leah asleep on the couch.

Kim went to the kitchen to grab her phone so she could call y/n and Kyra. “Kim” Katie said motioning for her to look at herself, holding up both there phones as she walked out of the room. Signalling they left them.

“Why do they do this” Caitlin said as she went to your front door to look out into the hallway, before completely disappeared down it to look for both of you.

end of pov

———————

“You dumb kid why did you say no when I asked about taking phones?” Kyra groaned as you both sat up against the wall, the outside of your apartment building. You and Kyra had ventured down to the lobby, only to think that it was too obvious, so you walked outside into the dark and sat outside the building. Dangerous. Yep.

“Oi Don’t call me that. Why did you ask me then?” I rushed

“This is boring come on” Kyra said before getting up and reaching her arms out, offering for you to latch on so she could help you up. Kyra dragged you back through your libby and then out a door. Leading to the car park.

“It’s so scary down here no” you said standing in the emergency doorway that you had both snuck into. It was 11pm, pitch black, and Kyra was making her way over to the box trolleys. The trolleys that the residents used to take up large items.

“Push me” Kyra said sitting down in the middle of the trolley, putting her hands in her lap, and crossing her legs.

“No” you hummed

“Yes”

“No”

“Yes”

“Only if you push me after” you gave in. It sounded fun.

“Don’t push me into a car” Kyra laughed as you started to walk with the trolley “faster cmon”

After spinning the trolley around for no more than two minutes filled with laughter and Kyra screaming as the trolley headed for the cement wall. "Okay off, my turn please" you said tugging on Kyra's sleeve before you helped her out of the trolley. As you went to hop in, you both heard the squeaky but heavy door leading to the car park swing open from he other side of the lot. Thinking someone was here to kill you both, you shared a paranoid look before instantly moving behind the red car you were both near, you peaked through the car's back window to see if you could see the figures that had entered, you heard the voice of a female before your eyes landed on Katie, Kim and Teyah.

"Is it a man?" Kyra asked, not looking, her back against the car.

"what? oh, no, worse. Kim Little"

Kyra just looked up at you and smirked before pulling you away, further into the dark parking spaces filled with cars. "Oi!" a strong Irish accent was heard, you looked back as you and Kyra ran through the large car park, locking eyes with a stern Kim Little. "Get back here!" Katie yelled again, a slight goofiness in her voice.

Kyra pulled you behind a car as you noticed Teyah and Katie running up to follow you, you and Kyra ducking out again and running behind another car. "Stop" Teyah breathed out as she ran after you two again. You turned back around only to realise you were running straight towards your captain Kim.

"Ah shit" you chuckled as your jogging came to a stop "hey it was funny-"

"we didn't know where you were, everyone was looking for you two!" Kim exclaimed

"Why" you asked smiling and still breathing heavily, recovering form your chase. Hearing the squeals and laughs from afar, Katie and Teyah were still taking off towards Kyra as they basically played tiggy.

"cause we all care about you. And it worried me that you and Kyra just left"

"Kyra's 22!" you said throwing your arms up

"Is she" Kim said, motioning towards Teyah and Katie tackling Kyra into the cement ground while she broke out into a giggling fit. "besides you're 16!"

"and you're over reacting" you breathed out before grabbing your jumper off the ground near the door and making your way to the exit. Getting in the elevator by yourself, pressing the button with the number 16 on it, heading to your apartment again. Though the lift stopped at ground level, above the car park, someone also trying to get the lift up.

Once the elevator doors opened, a blonde girl with a messy bun and her head in her phone was walking in. Not seeing you yet. "Shit"

Leah looked up from her phone at you. "There you are" Leah said, hitting the back of your head before rubbing your hair aggressively.

"Ow" You groaned, rubbing your head.

"I was looking outside for you, where's Kyra?" Leah said as the lift dinged and you both walked up the hall.

"Kyra's with Kim, Katie and um Teyah" you said, now unlocking your apartment door.

"Where on earth did you go" Leah asked now

"first outside, then the car park" you grinned

"look who it is!" Viv said as you both walked in, from her spot on the couch next to Beth, Laura and Alessia.

"Where is the rest of yous'?" Beth asked you simply shrugged, not bothering to answer, before collapsing into Laura's lap on the couch.

"You're kinda sweaty" Laura said from above your head.

---------------

Your birthday happened to land on a Thursday, which was your day off. Which meant your birthday would be spent not in the gym, and relaxing, just how you preferred. You sat up in your own bed, in your own apartment face timing your whole family on your computer. Once that ended, you stayed in bed, smiling and your heart warming at the Instagram posts your friend's back in Australia had created for your day, and the one's from your teammates also.

After a slow 30 minutes, you finally left the comfort of your blankets and got into the shower to freshen up for the day. You would be meeting the 'London Aussies' for breakfast this morning. Which included you, Caitlin, Steph, Macca, Sam, Kyra and as of late, Mini and Charli. It meant a lot to you that they took the morning's out of their day off to spend it with you on your birthday. Something you weren't sure would've even been thought about when you nervously moved across the world.

Steph offered to pick you up. So after applying some light makeup to match your usually-bronzed Australian self, changing into a warm outfit consisting of Jeans and a crew neck, Steph had texted you that she was now out the front of your apartment complex.

A wide grin was plastered on both your faces as the glass door outside your lobby opened, Steph leaning against her car waiting for you, large bouquet of yellow flowers in her hand. "Happy birthday Dancing queen!" she exclaimed before engulfing you in a tight hug, slightly lifting your feet off the ground in the warm gesture, you giggled at the comment before she let go of you.

She handed the flowers to you, "for me?" you asked in awe of them as she smiled.

"Of course" Steph said warmly

"Thank you it means a lot to me" you said hugging her again.

"Okay let's go i'm starving" She said before skipping off to the other side of the car to drive. You chuckled as you got into the car

"Where are we even going" you asked on the road, curious as to where you and your Aussie teammates would be eating

"I forget what it is called but I have taken you here before, you loved it" Steph said. Moments later, the car pulled into the parking lot, you remembering the cafe now. You saw Kyra getting out of the car with Charli, from your window.

Meeting up with all your Australian teammates from all around London once again made you happy, almost was the highlight of your day. During the breakfast, you got photos together at the table, some of the girl's mentioning that they would post them on their stories later for Instagram. You spoke about the Olympics, Sam's recovery and wedding plan's, along with plan's of Steph's big day also.

"You're gonna love the present from me and Katie" Caitlin grinned, nudging your shoulder, You let out a quiet but excited squeal.

"What are your plan's for the rest of your day y/n?" Sam asked you before sipping her iced coffee.

"I have been invited over to Beth and Viv's place for dinner tonight. So just chilling at my place then I will head over for that" You said to the girls, them all nodding.

-----------------

Your birthday breakfast was over and Steph had dropped you back home, after taking you to the super market. To buy you whatever Sweets or snacks you wanted for your own apartment. You heard a knock at your door so you walked over to it and peeped through the door. Only to be met with a man in a fluro green vest and black hoodie.

"Y/n y/n/n?" the man asked. You hesitated at first, the multiple worried chats from Leah pondering into your mind about not talking to people who just show up at your apartment. That was before you looked down at the large box with pink wrapping paper and yellow ribbon, the object softening your initial expression. You quickly nodded at the man, before singing on a line from the form he put in front of you.

"Thank you" You smiled before he headed off, leaving the pink box at your door. You went to pick it up, it was heavier than you expected, but you brought it inside and placed it on your dining room table. You unwrapped the gift and saw the card from Katie and Caitlin. Their sweet words about how they were proud of your journey and their love for you had you smiling to yourself. You had received multiple gifts, most of them at training yesterday though, they all made you extremely grateful for the teammates you could call home now. The gift from Katie and Caitlin was a light pink Smeg mixer for baking may not seem to exciting, but baking and cooking for the people closest to you was your love language at this point.

Your teammates had become used to you hosting dinners, with your cooking skills. Also getting used to and comfortable with you regularly bringing them baked treats you had made. Some of them like Katie, Leah and Kyra had become quite demanding that you visit them with treats now.

On the cardboard box the mixer, Katie had written largely in thick-red sharpie 'I expect a shit ton of cookies now', her writing taking up the whole left side of the box. You laughed to yourself at her antics before opening up the box and taking a look at your present.

-----------------

You and Viv got out of her car, where she had parked it outside her and Beth's flat. You were here to spend your birthday dinner with them. "Ready?" Viv asked before she opened the door.

"Uh yeah why" you questioned. Quickly before the door swung open and lights were turned on

"Surprise!" yelled a group, you shooting your head up.

You were met with the beaming faces of your whole family. Including your parents, older siblings, grandparents and closest cousins. Your jaw hung low really fast in shock. Your Australian family was all her in front of you. "What are you-" you yelled in excitement before running into your mother's arms. You greeted your whole family eagerly before hugging Beth who watched you interact with a proud smile.

"who did this?" you asked looking up at her, Beth still holding you

"i may have organised it. But you can thank your siblings" she grinned at you before you hugged her tighter.

You spent the rest of the evening eating pizza and talking with your family. You ended up having to get takeaway as Viv bought the wrong meat from the butcher to make for dinner. Forever grateful for your biggest supporters in your life and your Arsenal and Aussie teammates.

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Not my best fic at all so i apologise. And i'm so sorry it took so long. Uni is kicking me in my ass daily so it's hard to edit a such.

xxx

[itstokkii]

A Week with Turkitty: Day 1

what if turkey became a cat for a short time and had to live with uzbekistan? this is the result of that idea. it's multi chaptered, so this is the first one.

Day 1 | Day 2

‎‧₊˚✧[🇹🇷🇺🇿]✧˚₊‧

It's a wonderful day in the Yusufqizi residence. 

The arrival of fall meant no more sweltering hot days and portable fans. No longer did Nargiza have to keep her air conditioning on blast and then brace herself when looking at the electric bill at the end of the month. She didn't have to experience the pain of sweat stains. It was one of the best seasons, in her opinion—warm weather with the occasional breeze. She had also prepared her wardrobe a week earlier, and was excited for all the new outfits she could try out. And the best part? She was able to secure a whole week off to herself. 

She was sitting on the tapchan with a table full of jam, fruit, and chocolates, enjoying the wind combing itself through her dark brown locks. It was nice and quiet and incredibly peaceful. Nargiza took a deep breath, taking in the smell of the plants in her garden.

What should I do? She thought. Maybe visit Erbolat again? I should remind him to bring out his warmer clothes, otherwise he'll catch a cold...If I was smarter, perhaps I would've bought a ticket to see Korea...He always likes showing me around, and I'd love more photoshoots in hanbok...Hmm... Or maybe I should sleep in everyday and indulge myself in my favorite hobbies, like baking or knitting something... or perhaps finding a new song to play on the piano...? No, I can't be lazy and sleep in!

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a loud banging noise, and a call notification by...Azerbaijan?

"I'll be there in just a moment!" She yelled out to whomever was behind the door, and answered her former colleague's call.

"Hello...?"

"Open up." She could hear his voice behind the door.

"What? Azerbaijan, why are you in front of my house?! Is this about that thing with Rus-"

He sighed on the other end of the phone. "Nargiza, just open the door." With that, he hung up. 

She scoffed. What was that rascal doing here? She opened the door to see not only Azerbaijan standing there, but North Cyprus was with him as well, playing some game on his phone. Next to them was a... cat carrier? 

Nargiza smiled and turned to North Cyprus. 

"Hello, North Cyprus! How was the route? What are you doing here? Do I need to talk to Azerbaijan about it? Are you tired? Do you need some rest? My, don't tell me you only came here in a T-shirt? Did you bring a jacket? I can lend you one of Erbola-"

North Cyprus sighed and smiled back at her. "I'm fine, Auntie. I'm not a baby. Besides, it's not even that cold anyway."

She giggled and pinched his cheek affectionately, to which he scrunched his face. 

"Come inside! It's cold out. You're just in luck, I have some tea and treats over on the tapchan, so whatever this is—” she gestured at the both of them with a hand, “we can sort out here." She opened the gate wide enough for both of them to enter her house.

"Have some tea." Uzbekistan poured her two unexpected guests a cup of green tea, carefully placing it in front of them. "Oh, and help yourself to any of these snacks." 

Azerbaijan carefully sipped the tea, while North Cyprus stared at it, hoping for it to cool soon. He grabbed a toffee from the pile on the crystalware, minding the light blanket Uzbekistan threw over him, insisting he "needed to stay warm" and "she doesn't know what Turkey's doing, but she'll have a talk with him so North Cyprus's needs are met."

"What about me, Nargiz? You aren't worried about me catching a cold?"

"The Caucasus is a mountainous region, Rostem. You're fine."

"Aw...."

Now, over tea and treats, they could focus on the elephant in the room...or, rather, cat.

"Now would any of you explain to me why you made the 4 hour plane flight all the way from Turkey to here, with a cat in tow?" North Cyprus was the first to speak. 

"You're going to laugh at us."

"I'll believe it. I've seen enough in my time."

Azerbaijan looked at Uzbekistan. "Alright, but however you're gonna react, keep in mind that we're being completely serious."

He patted the cat carrier lightly.

"The cat in here...is Turkey."

She stared at the both of them, both of them feeling a menacing aura emit from her. 

North Cyprus sighed. "Look, we've already told you we're not joking. I didn't wanna sit in a 4 hour flight and have my butt fall asleep on the way to mess with you. I could be playing FIFA right now, actually..."

Uzbekistan felt uneasy. This couldn't possibly be true! But they were being dead serious… She bit her lip. 

"Fine, then. Let him out."

North Cyprus opened the latch, and out came a orangey-tan cat that leaped onto Uzbekistan's lap. So it was him after all.

"But how? And why me? You both are closer in proximity to him than I am."

Azerbaijan sipped his tea. "Honestly, we have no idea. His assistant called us in a hurry and told us what had happened. It was a "poof!" and he turned into a cat. Right in front of his eyes."

"As for why we can't take care of Uncle," North Cyprus added, "We're both pretty busy with work. We already asked your siblings if they were available, but they all seem pretty swamped with work too. You're the only one out of all of us who's taking a break. It made the most sense."

She sipped her tea and closed her eyes, hoping to retain some composure and calm down over this whole situation. She glanced at the cat in her lap, who at this point folded himself into a medium-sized loaf. It took everything in her not to squeal or spin him around or fawn at his adorableness. 

He may be a cat, but he was still Turkey. Anything she did, he'd never let her live down.

"And I take care of him for..."

"For now, about a week. We're working with his assistant and others to figure out what happened and how to stop it. If you need any help, just call us."

"I will, thank you. As...inconveniencing as this is, I'll try my best to take care of him. Do whatever you need to do to get him back to normal as quickly as possible."

 Azerbaijan gave her a plastic bag. In it was a change of clothes.

"This is for when he turns back to normal. And if you need us, just call."

With that, he stood up from the tapchan, with North Cyprus following suit.

"Behave around her, old man!" North Cyprus yelled. Turkey meowed back in retaliation. Cat in arms, she saw them to her main gate as they left. Once the door slammed, her attention went back to Turkey.

"Now, it was a 4-hour flight. You must be hungry. Conveniently, I have some chicken shashlik left over from yesterday evening. And some vegetables from the garden..." 

After running around back and forth from the kitchen, garden, and living room, she set a small plate of shashlik on the floor, and the orange cat devoured through it quickly.

"Slow down! Think about your digestion!" She warned him. He turned to look at her with a smug smile plastered on his face.

"Oh, don't look at me like that! So what if I don't want you to die? You'd be leaving your poor dear nephew behind, and what then?" She scoffed and focused on folding the chuchvara she was cooking for herself.

‎‧₊˚✧[🇹🇷🇺🇿]✧˚₊‧

"I'm pregnant...with your child."

Uzbekistan gasped at the drama's plot twist as she absentmindedly stroked Turkey's fur with one hand and sipped on black tea with the other.

Turkey meowed.

"What? You know how this drama ends?"

He nodded.

"Well, thank goodness you're a cat," She shovels a spoonful of chuchvara into her mouth. "You wouldn't be able to spoil it anyway!"

Turkey let out an angry meow and sunk his claws into her pants.

"Ah!" She carefully put her spoon down and turned her body towards him, drama out of her mind.

"Do you know what you could've done? You could've burned me! Look!"

She grabbed him and held him up to show him her food on the dinner table, using his paw to point at various things.

"See? There's my soup here, and my tea there! What would have happened if I burned myself, hmm? Naughty cat!" 

Uzbekistan carefully set him down again, and turned back to eating her soup. It felt uncomfortably quiet. She snuck glances at him occasionally as she ate, and was slowly beginning to feel guilty for scolding him earlier.

She gently reached out to him, lightly brushing her hand over the top of his fur, before suddenly grabbing him and rocking him back and forth.

Ah! Why am I like this? I always forgive and never forget!

"I'm sorry for scolding you earlier! I didn't mean to hurt you! I just wanted to let you know how dangerous it was to stick your claw into my leg!"

...So this is what Kazakhstan talks about...the overbearing sister that yells at you for doing something stupid and then crying about being too harsh not a minute later…

Turkey let out a meow that, to Uzbekistan, felt like one of remorse.

Her rocking slowed to a stop as she realized this wasn't just any cat. This was Turkey of all people.

She cleared her throat and stiffly placed him down.

Ehehe...I'm starting to like this arrangement...

‎‧₊˚✧[🇹🇷🇺🇿]✧˚₊‧

She yawned as she completed washing the very last dish of the day. In the meantime, Turkey was enjoying a tuna snack Uzbekistan had on her shelf. "It was just in case I brought a cat over," she insisted.

She didn't think it would've been him eating the treats.

Uzbekistan dried her hands with a towel and crouched next to Turkey. The house was quiet, and she could hear crickets chirping outside and the gentle rustling of plants.

"Well, Turkey, since you'll be under my care and my household for the whole week, you must obey a simple rule."

He whined in protest.

"How else will I maintain order and calm in my house? It's just one rule. You may not touch any of my important objects. This includes glassware, makeup, documents, my phone and laptop, and this cabinet full of crystalware and other memorabilia I have collected from the Soviet Era." Her fingertips brushed a large wooden cabinet of all kinds of glass.

One rule, huh....? He could live with that.

Uzbekistan yawned, the type you'd hear from a princess. You could hear the sleep in her voice. "As it's getting late, I'll be going to bed. You can sleep in the guestroom, with all the cushions and pillows you need. I'll shop for tuna tomorrow."

What?! I'll be sleeping there? I thought I was sleeping with you!

Turkey glared at the guestroom and hissed.

"Are you worried about the guestroom? It has a bed, just like mine. There's a shelf full of bedding and pillows. If you're worried about evil spirits, don't be. This place has been perfectly rid of anything like that. Any more concerns?"

Turkey meowed, and…rolled his eyes? Was that even possible? Fine. I’ll stay in the guestroom.

Well, goodnight, Turkey." Uzbekistan smiled at him, scratched behind his ears(with a shaky hand), and closed her bedroom door. 

Finally alone, she ran to her bed and screamed into a pillow, rolling around from one side of the bed to another.

"My goodness..! This is so weird, how will I be able to handle this for a week?" She spoke to herself. "This is real. It's all real. I just spent a day with my....with Turkey as a cat!"

She didn’t know Turkey was right behind the door, the same feelings and thoughts racing through his mind.

God, I've actually spent the whole day at her house...and it'll be like this the whole week! Finally! But the one time I get to stay at her house overnight instead of going back to my hotel room...I'm a cat.

‎‧₊˚✧[🇹🇷🇺🇿]✧˚₊‧

*Erbolat: Kazakhstan's name, gifted to him by peonycats!!

*Rostem: Azerbaijan's name, also gifted to him by peonycats!

wiaow... the one time turkey gets to spend a night at uzb's house...but it's not quite the way he thought it would happen....

how will he survive a week? more importantly, will uzbekistan go crazy from having to take care of....someone she cares about...in cat form?

find out in the next chapter!

[just-a-random-person24]

EPISODE 15 NO MORE NOTES!!

Episode 15 (all parts)

• starts with a warning that includes violent content, swearing, bad humor and voice acting and script writing, excessive use of the word ‘muffin’, low polygon count, poor texturing, lack of handrails, the presence of coolant, and frequent references to the internet

• “Do not watch this movie if you are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, or are on drugs, or not on drugs, art sitting down, are drinking a beveragez are nailed to a plank of wood, are eating a pretzel, are planning on asking me how to holster a gun, are listening to this at a volume above 100 decibels, are from the country Uzbekistan, or have the name Bob. Yeah Bob, that means you.”

cinematic intro! Not Half Life related but more related to his channel I'd assume

• “Awsomesauce!”

• doesn't like the beeping. Tells it to install a handrail

• has seen YouTube videos load faster than the elevator

• really needs a coffee, would even settle for instant coffee

• says he could get a job at another science facility with all the experience he has

• “Barney Calhoun, assistant theoretical physicist!”

• says he's not cut out for that job

• says hi to the beam of death

• says the Houndeyes are more annoying than kids, then wonders the legality of shooting kids

• is bored with all this teleporting stuff

• his mouth tastes like green :(

• stuck in a teleporting sequence! Lots of bright flashing green!!

• teleports to Xen, CS:go?, Half Life 2: Episode 1, I don't know a nature sandbox?, Half Life

• the programmers are still playing their music! I recognize the song but don't remember the name

• “‘no smoking area?’ Thanks, that's very helpful.”

• assumes the casserole is because of someone pressing the popcorn button, says its always set for too long and is super high-powered

• likes fire!

• Tells a dead scientist to get out of his pool of blood and be useful

• HI ADRIAN MY FRIEND ADRIAN <3

• asks the person inside Gordon's locker if anyone is in there, when he clearly hears someone inside the locker

• Adrian is very annoyed at being stuck in the locker and very snarky with Barney

• “If you're the locker, why would you need help getting out of yourself?” ‘that sounds vaguely dirty, and shut up!’

• says Adrian being stuck in the locker is like high-school, only he's on the wrong side

• “Alright, let's try this! 1…1…1, mmm nope.” ‘Barney.’ “1…1…2… mmm no.” ‘Barney…’ “1…1…3 mmm no.” ‘Barney!’

• Adrian wants to get out before the heat death of the universe

• Barney suggests using the satchel charges to open the locker first, gets a sarcastic reply about juggling chainsaws

• sounds very disappointed about using the crowbar

• can't get the locker open with the crowbar

• crowbar and pistol cant open the fire extinguisher glass

• Adrian tells Barney he needs to point the loud end at the glass, which passes Barney off

• There's pills in a thermos! Alprazolam! A sedative that's used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and can cause paranoid and suicidal ideations

• Barney says the name sounds like a dark wizard, which gets a laugh from Adrian

• Adrian is taking the pills

• Barney is very confused about the idea of electrified toxic waste, but then says it's used in redbull

• after Adrian says he's a soldier Barney isn't going to let him out because they're trying to kill everyone, which confuses Adrian cause he wants to gtfo

• “I'm an HECU marine, actually >:(“

• after being offered a chocolate bar, Barney agrees to let him out

• he leaves to go find keys and gets teleported away!

• sees the marines dragging Gordon away

• WOO WALTER VOICE!!

• hey he sounds familiar 🤔 can't figure out why though 🤔🤔

• takes a nap :)

• gets woken up cause of a soldier checkpoint

• can fly a plane!!

• Walter tells Barney his name only to get told to shut up

• FLIGHT SIM LETS GO!!

• “Oh I was turning the handle the wrong way.” ‘Ha!’ “Quiet you!”

• There's a minibar in the plane. Don't drink and fly kids!

• lots of plane mumbo-jumbo

• Barney gets told he isn't funny

• 2 voices that answer him when he asks if everyone is strapped in! I only recognize Corky though

• military tells Barney to come with them, Barney plans on losing them in the canyon while Walter says to go with them

• “for some reason your extreme confidence gave me chills up my spine. 😒”

• nice music, idk what it is though

• getting shot at!

• Walter passed out :(

• the fighter jet gets teleported somewhere

• hopes Adrian and Gordon got out

• knows people in Bulgaria! Plans on heading to a local airport to hop on a plane there

• “Barney Calhoun, supreme overlord of the world!”

• damn counter:1

total damns said: 51 🎉🎉

[usafphantom2]

Russia's ally, Uzbekistan considers acquiring Dassault Rafale fighters

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 11/24/2023 - 19:00 in Military

The leadership of Uzbekistan would have expressed interest in acquiring 24 Rafale fighters. However, the exact terms and financing modalities remain undisclosed.

This information was disclosed in a publication of the industry-specific French portal, Intelligence Online.

The publication Intelligence Online reported that Uzbekistan formally requested information from France about the potential acquisition of 24 fourth-generation Dassault Rafale multifunctional fighters. The matter would have been discussed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Republic of Uzbekistan on November 2.

Despite the interest expressed, analysts are skeptical of Uzbekistan's immediate ability to secure Rafale jets. The manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, currently faces a heavy workload due to existing orders from countries such as Qatar, Croatia and Indonesia. In addition, negotiations are underway with Saudi Arabia, further complicating the production schedule.

Due to these restrictions, an alternative solution could involve France's proposal for Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters for Uzbekistan as a viable option.

Uzbekistan has the distinction of being the first country of the former Soviet bloc and, additionally, the second nation to use MiG-29, to express its intention to exchange its military fleet for Rafale jets.

A recent public disclosure revealed that, for the calendar year 2023, Uzbekistan reserved a defense budget equivalent to US$ 1.4 billion. The country's combat aviation fleet includes 12 MiG-29 and MiG-29UB aircraft currently in service, with 18 additional of the same type in storage.

In addition, Uzbekistan stored 26 Su-27 fighters for preservation. The Uzbekistan Air Force also maintains a substantial fleet, consisting of 12 Su-25 attack aircraft and 15 Su-24 bombers stored.

Tags: Military AviationDassault RafaleUzbekistan

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has work published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[airsllides]

airsLLide No. 11268: UK-11109, Antonov 12BP, Uzbekistan Airways, Sharjah, November 23, 1995.

Wearing the national colors of Uzbekistan (see the flag above the second cabin window) in its livery, the obviously well used freighter pauses on Sharjah's ramp inbetween two flights, resting during the hot daytime hours and scheduling the departure for the cooler nighttime period - a common operation pattern for the region for not time-sensitive ad-hoc flights and aircraft planning to leave close to their maximum take-off weight.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 6.15 (after 1900)

1904 – A fire aboard the steamboat SS General Slocum in New York City's East River kills 1,000. 1916 – United States President Woodrow Wilson signs a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America, making them the only American youth organization with a federal charter. 1919 – John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland. 1920 – Following the 1920 Schleswig plebiscites, Northern Schleswig is transferred from Germany to Denmark. 1921 – Bessie Coleman earns her pilot's license, becoming the first female pilot of African-American descent. 1934 – The United States Great Smoky Mountains National Park is founded. 1936 – First flight of the Vickers Wellington bomber. 1937 – A German expedition led by Karl Wien loses sixteen members in an avalanche on Nanga Parbat. It is the worst single disaster to occur on an 8000m peak. 1940 – World War II: Operation Aerial begins: Allied troops start to evacuate France, following Germany's takeover of Paris and most of the nation. 1944 – World War II: The United States invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate. 1944 – In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America. 1970 – Charles Manson goes on trial for the Sharon Tate murders. 1972 – Red Army Faction co-founder Ulrike Meinhof is captured by police in Langenhagen. 1972 – Cathay Pacific Flight 700Z is destroyed by a bomb over Pleiku, Vietnam (then South Vietnam) kills 81 people. 1977 – After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections took place in Spain. 1978 – King Hussein of Jordan marries Jordanian-American Lisa Halaby, who takes the name Queen Noor. 1985 – Rembrandt's painting Danaë is attacked by a man (later judged insane) who throws sulfuric acid on the canvas and cuts it twice with a knife. 1991 – In the Philippines, Mount Pinatubo erupts in the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, killing over 800 people. 1992 – The United States Supreme Court rules in United States v. Álvarez-Machaín that it is permissible for the United States to forcibly extradite suspects in foreign countries and bring them to the United States for trial, without approval from those other countries. 1996 – The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonates a powerful truck bomb in the middle of Manchester, England, devastating the city centre and injuring 200 people. 2001 – Leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. 2007 – The Nokkakivi Amusement Park is opened in Lievestuore, Laukaa, Finland. 2012 – Nik Wallenda becomes the first person to successfully tightrope walk directly over Niagara Falls. 2013 – A bomb explodes on a bus in the Pakistani city of Quetta, killing at least 25 people and wounding 22 others. 2022 – Microsoft retires its ubiquitous Internet Explorer after 26 years in favor of its new browser, Microsoft Edge.

[sebastianshaw]

@dcmonshcad -  “The flight will be awhile, I’m afraid,” Shaw said, crossing the spacious cabin of the luxury jet in a leisurely fashion to join the other man by the window, “I’m quite fine passing it in silence—I’ve any number of pressing projects that could occupy my time from a laptop—but I would hate to be an ingracious host. Even if your presence here as my guest is more one of necessity than pleasure.” Indeed, these men were not friends. Far from it. But both understood the importance of putting aside personal disagreements for greater matters. Selene, who had been a foe to Shaw’s life since she’d first set foot in the modern world, had found out about the existence of active Lazarus Pits. She’d known of them in the past, but had believed them long gone. Learning that they still existed, and that another had laid claim to them, well. . .it had perturbed her. Galvanized her. Immortal though she was, her eternal youth relied upon sucking the lives of victims; countless had fallen to her through the centuries to sustain her unnatural longevity with equally unnatural beauty and vitality. And while she did not have any moral qualm with this—quite the opposite, she enjoyed it IMMENSELY and considered it her DUE—it did fill her with a fear as eternal as herself: What if she should ever be unable to sate her need in time before, horror of horrors, growing old? To merely take the lives, the energy, of mortal beings. . .it was delicious fun, and they should be proud to offer this to a goddess like herself, to gain immortality themselves as a part of her. But to NEED it? To NEED it did NOT befit a goddess. To become immortal and eternally young in the bargain, without reliance on any outside source. . .that had long been her goal, and she believed these Lazarus Pits were the solution to that goal’s success. No longer would she need to hunt to sustain herself—though she would still prey for the sheer pleasure of it!--but instead would be in a constant state of her ever-youthful glory as she SHOULD be, with no fear of withering should she wait too long between meals! But in discovering the existence of the Lazarus Pits, so too did she discover the tales of their guardian, their master, the “demon” who jealously guarded them for his own use. She would have NO such creature sharing in her divine ablutions! Even if this “Ra’s Al Ghul” had been willing to let her partake freely, she would still seek to slay him simply because what belonged to Selene must ONLY belong to Selene. Otherwise it just wasn’t SPECIAL enough! As for Shaw. . .his life wasn’t eternal, but it hadn’t lasted as long as it had by NOT keeping well abreast of what the sorceress was up to. And he didn’t like it; Selene’s reliance on life energy was one of the few trump cards with which she could be kept at bay or placated into passivity. If she no longer was hobbled by this, he might well find himself in LITERAL hellfire before long. There was no question about informing Al Ghul and offering his aid in stopping her. Shaw thought the other man a fool for wasting his own elongated life and resources in such a way that he did—really, the ENVIRONMENT?!-- but he didn’t regard him as an enemy at all. Certainly not the way Selene was. Of course, Shaw was planning to kill him at the first opportunity after Selene was handled, but that was nothing personal; the Pits simply held too much profit potential to leave in another’s hands, was all. So here they were, in one of Shaw’s many private jets, on a flight to Uzbekistan that would normally take over 10 hours, but with the speciality engineering of Shaw Industries, was down to five. But that was still, as Shaw had noted, quite a bit of time to get to know one another. “I’m not a needlessly verbose man myself,” he continued, “But since I may never get another opportunity to ask you—why do you waste your life, your money, your obvious brilliance, in the way that you do? I suspect it’s simply madness, but I’d still like to hear it straight from your mouth.” Did he truly care? Well, he had to a little bit, or he wouldn’t have bothered inquiring. Some part of him was just sure maybe he was missing some angle through which Al Ghul was getting personal gain through all this, and if Shaw could get in on that too after eliminating him, so much the better.

[skygurutraveltourism]

UAE National Day Holiday Packages

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[tanyagotravel]

Uzbekistan pre-travel hacks to know

After moving it year by year on the top of my travel bucket list, I finally succeeded to explore Uzbekistan.  Super thrilled because it’s a dream come true that exceeded my hopes, longing, and expectations. Four years in a row relocating, postponing, and upgrading the Uzbekistan travel program, to eventually materialize almost the way I imagined it, with a little dose of sobering up. I realized…

[balapann-blog]

Day 57 - 1 November - Tbilisi Airport > Tashkent

We woke up had breakfast in the Ibis which was surprisingly expensive (basically our most expensive meal in ages) and was fine but not worth the price. After that we went to airport and checked in. Tbilisi is not an amazing airport but is much more glamorous than our other travelling high has been mainly bus or night train. We looked at wines to try and see if any of our ur wines were there (they weren’t) and got very expensive cereal bars in Costa which is apparently everywhere!

We got on the plane, it was only a 2.5 hour flight and it was interesting to see the Caspian Sea from above and to fly over Turkmenistan and see the strange geological and some man made formations below. They gave us loads of food! Which was nice of them but seemed a bit excessive for such a short flight. We arrived and I got a local SIM card with 50gigof internet for like a 5er which is much cheaper than the esims we have been using.

We had no money and then got hassled by a taxi driver who said he was on Yandex, but that would have been much cheaper but we were slightly disoriented and I think ready to be mugged off a bit. Uzbek seems to have 3 ways of spelling everything and the driver had to keep calling our host to locate our apartment. We also had to get cash, and the first atm didn’t have enough money for us to take out. We arrived and had to pay our host, but dispite having 1,200,000som, we didn’t have enough and had to go to the atm again with our host who seemed a bit bemused by how chaotic we were (we had laid out the money in 100,000 bunches to count it!

Once we were settled, we walked down to the main squares and went to this very random but slightly ritzy restaurant hat we think Zazz had recommended, and did not have Uzbek food really. We then walked home as we were quite tired. I didn’t sleep amazingly because I got bitten by this mosquito and was hot. Also had caffeine quite late in the restaurant.

Day 58 - 2 November - Tashkent

We woke up and moved quite slowly to go out. Went walked to the mosque complex which had a mixture of old and new mosques. The one we went into was really nice but there are some in Tashkent that look quite new and post soviet. Tashkent was destroyed by an earthquake in the 60s and was rebuilt as a soviet planned city which gives it quite a suburban vibe, lots of the new buildings are in what is called a neo-timurid style which is a modern take on the buildings that Timur (Tamerlane) and his descendants built in places like Samarkand but these buildings are a bit weird.

We then went to chorsu bazar, near the. Mosque complex which was huge and had loads of things from clothes to food to sell. Near a food bit I got vox popped by some girls on TikTok and asked about the food I liked from Uzbekistan but at that point I hadn’t had any Uzbek food so was quite a bad interviewee we went to the main bazar building that is a huge food market with meat cheese and pickles being sold. We got pickles and then went to a plov center nearby which was our first outing of plov the national dish. We got some veg for dinner and a bread to try. We then took the Tashkent Metro to the most famous (and most decorated) station in Tashkent named after the poet Alisher Navoi. We then went to the supermarket and bought the rest of the things for dinner. Nina cooked and we chilled for the evening. Didn’t sleep very well again as the mosquitoes were back and they really bite here!

Day 59 - 3 November - Tashkent

We moved very slowly we both read for a while in the flat. I finished my book on Central Asia and then started the Party by Tessa Hadley. We then went to the State Museum of Timurids which was a bit unhinged in a neo Timurid building. Most of its exhibits were pictures of things and then sign that said things like ‘original in the Met New York’ or ‘Original in State Museum of Moscow’ and then it had a whole wall on the top floor devoted to people that had signed the guestbook which was weird.

We then went to the most famous plov center the real one which is out by the TV tower and this was huge and full of people. We had a good Plov again. It was right by a sports center that I think was hosting the world MMA championships and had people in tracksuits of the different teams.

We went to the TV tower that was really annoying, the queue system was non-sensical and took ages. When we did get up the view was good but not amazing and we left quite annoyed but enjoying complaining ow bad it was. We took the metro to Hotel Uzbekistan which is a famous brutalist hotel in the center of Tashkent and went to the bad at the top which was very retro. The Russian MMA Team were staying there and we took the lift with one of them feeling slightly unnerved!

After that we went opera house for a concert of the opera troup’s favourite arias which was actually really nice nd a nice way to spend the evening. We walked back to the flat and bought a sweetcorn for the walk and went to bed. I slept fine as I had bug spray , no one bites Fred Mann 3 nights in a row!

Day 60 - 4 November - Tashkent > Khiva

We woke up and packed up slowly and read, during the packing I killed a mosquito that was very big that had no doubt been terrorising me the nights before. The revenge was sweet. We checked out and walked to the restaurant we were having lunch which was a really nice modern Uzbek restraint called Afona. We went to cafe beside it after and then got a Yandex to the station. Our guy was great and he weaved his way through traffic very effectively.I love when a taxi driver goes out to bat for you!

We then got to the station and bought some food for the journey. The train arrived but they needed to connect the other cars very protracted activity and meant we didn’t get on the train til about 6.15. We got into our compartment - it was very hot on the top bunks. We had 2 guys in sports gear (MMA guys?) in our compartment, they went Jizzakh. At Samarkand another guy got in o I think thought I was a bit of a fool. At one point a cockroach walked up the wall beside me on the wall Nin and I tried to kill it but the guy below had to do it with his water bottle. I slept a bit but wasn’t the most restful sleep ever, although I must have slept a bit as I didn’t notice the next guy get in to the other bottom bunk (I assume at Bukhara). We woke up near Urgench the stop before Khiva.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), repatriated a group of Indian nationals lacking legal grounds to remain in the United States on October 22. The DHS noted that this repatriation aligns with ongoing efforts to build stronger ties with foreign governments, including India, to manage migration effectively and address human smuggling challenges. Kristie A. Canegallo, who currently oversees the duties of the DHS Deputy Secretary, cautioned migrants against trusting smugglers’ false promises, warning that unlawful entrants would face swift removal. “The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce our nation’s laws,” Canegallo said. Following policy changes in June 2024 under the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation, the DHS reported a substantial 55% decrease in unauthorized entries at the U.S.-Mexico border. The new policies have led to more than 1,60,000 individuals being deported since their implementation, with over 495 international flights used to return people to their home countries, including high-volume flights to India and beyond. In addition to addressing migration at the U.S. borders, DHS regularly coordinates with governments worldwide to ensure the safe repatriation of their nationals. Over the past year, the agency has deported individuals to an array of nations, including Egypt, Mauritania, and Uzbekistan, marking a record in repatriations in fiscal year 2024, surpassing any year since 2010. Click here for Latest Fact Checked News On NewsMobile WhatsApp Channel For viral videos and Latest trends subscribe to NewsMobile YouTube Channel and Follow us on Instagram [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), repatriated a group of Indian nationals lacking legal grounds to remain in the United States on October 22. The DHS noted that this repatriation aligns with ongoing efforts to build stronger ties with foreign governments, including India, to manage migration effectively and address human smuggling challenges. Kristie A. Canegallo, who currently oversees the duties of the DHS Deputy Secretary, cautioned migrants against trusting smugglers’ false promises, warning that unlawful entrants would face swift removal. “The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce our nation’s laws,” Canegallo said. Following policy changes in June 2024 under the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation, the DHS reported a substantial 55% decrease in unauthorized entries at the U.S.-Mexico border. The new policies have led to more than 1,60,000 individuals being deported since their implementation, with over 495 international flights used to return people to their home countries, including high-volume flights to India and beyond. In addition to addressing migration at the U.S. borders, DHS regularly coordinates with governments worldwide to ensure the safe repatriation of their nationals. Over the past year, the agency has deported individuals to an array of nations, including Egypt, Mauritania, and Uzbekistan, marking a record in repatriations in fiscal year 2024, surpassing any year since 2010. Click here for Latest Fact Checked News On NewsMobile WhatsApp Channel For viral videos and Latest trends subscribe to NewsMobile YouTube Channel and Follow us on Instagram [ad_2] Source link

[captureatriptour]

Almaty to Baku: An Epic Backpacking Adventure

Embarking on a backpacking journey from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Baku, Azerbaijan, offers an exhilarating blend of culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes. This route takes you through diverse terrains, charming towns, and vibrant cities, each with its own unique charm. Here’s a guide to making the most of this epic adventure.

Day 1: Departure from Almaty

Exploring Almaty

Before you hit the road, take some time to explore Almaty. Visit the Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park, stroll through the Green Bazaar, and enjoy the views from Kok Tobe Hill. Grab some local delicacies like beshbarmak or plov to fuel up for your journey.

The Journey Begins

In the afternoon, catch a bus or train to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The journey is approximately 20 hours, so settle in for the ride. The scenic views of the steppes and mountains will keep you entertained along the way.

Day 2: Tashkent to Samarkand

Discovering Tashkent

Arriving in Tashkent, take a quick tour of the capital. Visit the stunning Khast Imam Complex, known for its beautiful mosques and ancient manuscripts. Don’t miss the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar, where you can immerse yourself in local culture.

Head to Samarkand

In the afternoon, take a train to Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its architectural wonders. The journey takes about 2 hours. Once you arrive, check into a guesthouse and prepare to explore the city's rich history.

Day 3: Exploring Samarkand

Architectural Marvels

Spend the day visiting Samarkand’s iconic sites, including the magnificent Registan Square, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and the stunning Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Each site is a testament to the city's historical significance along the Silk Road.

Local Cuisine

In the evening, indulge in local Uzbek cuisine at a traditional restaurant. Try plov, samsa, and��non, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals.

Day 4: Samarkand to Bukhara

Journey to Bukhara

After breakfast, take a morning train to Bukhara, another Silk Road gem. The journey lasts about 1.5 hours. Bukhara is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage.

Bukhara’s Historical Wonders

Explore the ancient city, visiting the Ark Fortress, Bolo Haouz Mosque, and the impressive Kalyan Minaret. Spend your evening wandering through the historic trading domes, where you can shop for handmade crafts and souvenirs.

Day 5: Bukhara to Tashkent, Then to Shymkent

Back to Tashkent

On your fifth day, take a train back to Tashkent. From there, catch a bus or train to Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The journey will give you a glimpse of the diverse landscapes of Central Asia.

Explore Shymkent

Once in Shymkent, take some time to explore the city. Visit the Abay Park and the Shymkent Zoo, and enjoy a meal at a local eatery.

Day 6: Shymkent to Almaty, Then to Baku

Return to Almaty

Travel back to Almaty for a brief stop to gather your belongings and prepare for your flight to Baku.

Arrival in Baku

Fly from Almaty to Baku (approximately 3 hours). Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and take a leisurely evening stroll along the Baku Boulevard by the Caspian Sea.

Day 7: Exploring Baku

Old City and Modern Marvels

Spend your first full day in Baku exploring the Old City (Icherisheher), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Later, head to the Flame Towers and the Heydar Aliyev Center to admire modern architecture.

Cultural Experiences

In the evening, enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Baku. Explore Fountain Square and indulge in local cuisine at a restaurant overlooking the sea.

Day 8: Departure from Baku

Last-Minute Exploration

On your final day, visit the Gobustan National Park to see ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes. Reflect on your journey as you prepare to depart from this enchanting city.

Conclusion

The journey from Almaty to Baku is an unforgettable backpacking adventure that showcases the diverse cultures and landscapes of Central Asia. From the historical wonders of the Silk Road to the modern marvels of Baku, this trip promises a rich tapestry of experiences that will stay with you long after you return home. So, pack your backpack and set off on this epic adventure!

More Information About This Blog Then Go Almaty Holiday Package

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Blog Update (or Blogdate)

Blog Update (or Blogdate).

It was 10th December 2022 when I last blogged in the Teaching on the Naughty Steppe series. Much has happened since then, but no of it to me.

However, something has happened which bears on the Uzbekistan adventure story. As I was about to start typing this, in fact I was waiting for Word to open on my computer, and last minute, breaking piece of news came to me, and I will tell you what that was in due course, at the right time.

The events in question concern Муниса that’s the VW character who made many appearances in the blog that used to disturb Saturday mornings between 2016 and 2020. I am sure you’ll remember that, after a few adventures around Tashkent and (memorably) Kazakhstan, she came to Derbyshire and lived a quiet life with me here.

For about 9 months, she was left in our storage place where the caravan was usually kept. (I’m switching to ‘it’ now.) During this time, we realised that we were not using, and probably not going to use it and that we should sell it to someone who would.

Therefore, I advertised it, a couple of people came to look. One of them bought it for just under the asking price. And that’s that. No. Of course it isn’t. It couldn’t be. I could still have spun that in to another (pointless) blog, but the real story is more interesting.

So, a few weeks ago, after we had sold the caravan, we went to the storage yard and brought it home. Of course, the battery was completely dead but I had taken a charged one we happened to have and was able to start it up. Of course, the indicators were not working so getting the five or so miles home was fun. After a really good clean inside and out, it was time to advertise. I also bought a new battery but they only had quite a small one that could not be secured properly in the bay. The van still had a valid MOT until 1st September and I planned to try to get a new one.

There was some initial interest at a fair price for a running, MOTd vanand after a week or two someone came to look. They (a father and son) had a good look around and the time for a test drive arrived. I was driving with the son who was the interested party when the gear stick snapped right at the bottom. The father drove up to where we were and he was able to get it in to second gear and I drove home. The father pointed out a small hole in a sill near the back and said it might well be an MOT fail as it was near a structural part. Interestingly, they said they’d have to go and think about it and I have never heard from them again.

A few days later, I got a message from a man in Portugal asking about it. I’d made an MOT appointment but couldn’t go, obviously. So I explained all of this to the man (Luis). He did not seem put off by this. He has many classic cars at his home and works on them himself. He also has another, similar VW and said he could bring the gear stick from that and fit it on my drive. I told him that without the MOT, he would not be able to drive it – he planned to drive it back to Portugal. I did what I could to dissuade he but he was undeterred, booked a flight and transferred a deposit.

On Thursday of this week (18th) he arrived and I picked him up from Birmingham airport. To make the story more interesting, he has some mobility issues and uses crutches, so I couldn’t leave him to navigate the railway system! 

Back here, we got to work on the gear stick – I say ‘we’ but I was just passing screwdrivers and such like. I had also told him about the indicators and that the MOT (booked for Friday) might throw up other issues. However, the indicators had started working again. All seemed to be going well. The gear stick was a fairly easy fit and worked well. I had charged the old battery that fitted properly and drove up with that.

Early Friday morning, I drove the short distance to the garage for the MOT and asked if they could fix anything minor. They said they were very busy but might be able to do anything really minor.

Around 10am, someone called to say the accelerator was not working. I said that it had been when I drove it up to them!  They had a good look and found that a small rod from the pedal to the throttle cable seemed to have rotted. They would be able to do the MOT but not fix that. I knew I could get it home on the revs of the engine in reverse and first gear and down the hill but the sale seemed to be in jeopardy.

When I went to collect it, it had passed the MOT with them having fixed the fog light switch!  They also said they had been able to get the rod back in the right place so I could drive normally. We were back on track – except they were using a boost pack and told me the battery was dead!

After all of this, Luis and I drove to the petrol station to fill up. I had given him the 25l fuel carrier I had bought in Tashkent. We filled the tank and put 15l in the container and drove home. He had some concerns about the alternator and testing the voltage (he had a device that plugged in to the cigarette lighter) seemed to show it was not charging the battery properly. We left a charger on the small, new battery overnight and Luis planned to leave early Saturday morning so he could drive in the light and not worry about the headlights draining the battery. We loaded everything in the car and he asked me to make sure he was up early.

Sure enough, by 7am we had removed the charger, closed up the engine and he was in the driver’s seat and I was ready to wave. After a few minutes, nothing seemed to be happening and I went to the window. He said that the battery was dead and the accelerator pedal had gone again. There would be no departure any time soon. I should say that I was experiencing very unfamiliar (to me) high anxiety this whole time. Not surprising perhaps, but not something I’m used to.

So…...we had to go to Halfords and buy an appropriately sized battery and find a small part for the alternator. One shop said they could get this by 1pm which was a relief. Returning home, we fitted the new battery and put the small less new one on charge as a spare. Luis did some research on how the accelerator pedal was supposed to work and went under to see what was going on. He dismantled part of it, we straighten and cleaned bits and put it back together. He then noticed that the pedal inside was almost broken. This could be the reason the rod was coming off – if the pedal was moving sideways. We decided that the only thing we could do (apart from order a new one and wait a few days until it came) was do and Uzbek-style repair. This involved putting some very strong tape around the cracking part then drilling small holes to thread cable ties through to strengthen it more. Luis was actually happy with this.

I collected the alternator part and that was fitted easily (enough). The voltage device was still showing low voltage and charging. I suggested we try connecting the 12v plug to a different point in the fuse box – I had fitted this cigarette lighter in Uzbekistan and it was sharing a connection with the headlights and only worked when they were on!  A new slot was selected and suddenly the reading was good and showed that the alternator was working properly.

So, Sunday morning was now the departure time! We took Luis out to our favourite local pub/restaurant which he loved. I went to bed a little less anxious but still fearing a new or recurring problem in the morning.

This morning arrived – as it was always going to and I had to wake Luis just before 7am. We went through a similar routine to Saturday but this time, the engine started first time and Luis drove away. Amazingly (to me anyway) he had come to the UK without bringing a phone he could use on UK networks. We were not going to hear anything unless he found wifi.

The breaking news? As I was about to start typing this story I got a message from Luis. He is on the ferry in Dover waiting to set off to Calais. He said the sliding door had popped open a couple of times (scary) but the battery, engine, accelerator etc have been fine. He has several hundred miles still to go to his home in Portugal – the story is not over, therefore. I will update you when he gets there.

This seems, though, to be a fitting end to my part in the van’s story. I could have sold it to someone 50 miles away who could have brought a trailer to get it and used it here after fixing everything. That would not have fitted with the story so far. Luis wants the van to go to Morocco and sort out some business there – so another new continent awaits.

I hope you agree that this story was worth telling. Should anything else interesting happen in this or any other context, I may venture into the blogosphere again!

Bye.