Day 82. Karakol

My eye is improving. Reijo my eye surgeon in Finland is acting as a consultant so that is good. I will have to pay him with beer. It will not be a cheap option I think!

So a quiet wander this morning to visit an old wooden Russian Orthodox church in remarkably good condition. The Holy Trinity Cathedral dates from the early 1800’s. but has had several reincarnations since, but very nice all the same.

We then adjourned to a local cafe for much needed refreshments and they turned out to be a community based organisation that make donations to various community initiatives. So we added to the school supply box.

We also inquired with the lady ( who spoke very good English) about the cost of my hospital care yesterday. I tried to raise this yesterday at the hospital but they were incredibly busy people with virtually no English so I didn’t get very far and it’s bugging me. The cafe lady assured me treatment is free but I will somehow find a way to make a donation.

View of the Tien Shan mountains from our hotel window. We will cross this mountain range when entering China on the 14th.

Our pace feels somewhat slower, the temperature is just nice so it is quite a nice interlude. We have made some plans for later in the trip and have discussed what has been good so far and what we might do better in the future. 

Trip planning and downloaded some video footage some of which looks really good, if only we knew how to manipulate it into something we could share with you. Never mind, all in good time.