Dec 05, 2006 12:00 AMForth republic, Kabardino Balkaria
In Nalchik I saw this bus heading to Grozny, in Checnya. All the passengers were women with children. I took the last seat to avoid being controled in the military post, and... went ahead without any fear!
Dec 03, 2006 12:00 AMThird republic, Ingushetiya
This republic was, until recently, united to Chechnya. The capital is not Nazram anymore, but Magaz, not far. The most impactant visit was the museum against the repression ordered by Stalin, when 14 nationalities were sent to Siberia and Kazajstan, kurds, turks, chechens, ingush, tatars from Crimea, and a long etcetera. many thousands died in the way.
Dec 02, 2006 12:00 AMSecond republic, Osetiya.
I had to give some baksheesh on the way to avoid being sent back to Moscow. The capital, Vladikavkaz, was a wonderful city traversed by the river Terek
Dec 01, 2006 12:00 AMDagestan Republic. Derbent, 5000 years of history
This was the first of the seven Russian republics in the Caucasus than I wanted to know.
Nov 28, 2006 12:00 AMLeaving for the Caucasus
I took several trains to get to the Caucasus republics.
Nov 24, 2006 12:00 AMKyzyl. Buddhist ceremonies in the Tibetan monastery
The Tuvans were surprised to see an european in their monastery. Not a single Russian (or Spanish) use to assist to the ceremonies. Look at the picture of the Dalai Lama. It is usual to pray before of his portrait and to introduce some notes in a box as donation.
Soon will leave to the belicose Republics of Dagestan, Chechnya, Osetia, Ingushetia, the rebel Abkhasia, Najichevan, Nagorno Karabakh, etc., in my way back to Spain overland.
Nov 22, 2006 12:00 AMKyzyl, Republic of Tiva (or Tiva), the center of Asia
I made friendship with this boys besides the monument located in the center of Asia, by the River Yenisey.
Living in Kyzyl is very pleasant and relaxing, but soon I have to continue travelling to live on other monasteries in the Caucasus.
Nov 19, 2006 12:00 AMI reached the mythical Tibetan monastery in Kyzyl!
This remote monastery is hard to reach. Kyzyl does not has train, nor direct flights from Moscow. The Dalai Lama came in 1990. The town is unique in Russia.
Nov 17, 2006 12:00 AMCrossing the pereval to enter Tuva Republic
Apart from the few airplanes from Krasnoyarsk, there in only one way to get to Tiva (Tuva), that is, overland from Abakan, the capital of Khakasia. It will take you about 6 hours crossing several mountains and beautiful scenary. This part of the world is only for real travellers.
Look at the trees of the picture where the Tuvans have hanged wishes. This is a land of mistery and discoveries.
Nov 10, 2006 12:00 AMTraveling in the buran before sunrising
It was a real expedition Many Russians also decided to travel that way through the river Obi.
