22.THE SILK ROAD CONTINUES...... AND WAS IT EVER WINDY!!!

Merv-Mary-Turkmenabat

We left Ashgabat the next morning after taking on fuel with Madeline's help finding a station that had diesel.  We received instructions for our driving route to our next destination that day, the town of Mary.  We were assured that there were road signs along the way of this route.  Only two left turns from the fuel stop so we knew we were on the correct road leaving town.  After over an hour of driving, we still never saw one sign for even a local town on the road - nothing.  A check of my small hiking GPS that we use as our compass says we are driving in the right direction.  The road is full of holes as before.  Driving is slow at times and it is very hot, but not as hot as the drive to Ashgabat from the ferry boat.

 

Madeline had told us about the site of an ancient city along the way that was well worth a visit.  "Merv" dates back as far as 3,000 B.C.  We see the sign for Mary just a few miles before the Merv site so it really isn't much of a drive out of our way.

 Previously, Merv was known by many names.  Merv grew in importance and size.  In the middle of the 10th century, it was thought to be the largest city in the World.  There are four distinct areas at the site location where a city existed at different times.  The older walled city then being abandoned.  One of the most well known events in the city's history was in 1221 when Genghis Kahn sent his youngest son Tule to sack the city.  One account states that over a million people were put to death as the city also housed hundreds of thousands of fleeing refugees. 

 Previously, Merv was known by many names.  Merv grew in importance and size.  In the middle of the 10th century, it was thought to be the largest city in the World.  There are four distinct areas at the site location where a city existed at different times.  The older walled city then being abandoned.  One of the most well known events in the city's history was in 1221 when Genghis Kahn sent his youngest son Tule to sack the city.  One account states that over a million people were put to death as the city also housed hundreds of thousands of fleeing refugees.

We had just continued our drive when the crosswind really intensified.  The blowing dust was intense at times.  This went on for most of the remaining drive to Mary (3-4 hours).  Probably the most cross wind velocity and dust blowing that I will ever drive in.  The inside of the vehicle is beginning to look like the outside.


 Un-retouched photo of dust storm blowing across the road as we drove. 

We found a small hotel for the night.  Their internet connection was very slow.  Robert persevered for several hours with it.  I worked in the room a little and tried to relax.  We then had dinner at the hotel restaurant.  This is a working class hotel.  The men at the bar and dining room all appeared to be Russian.  We had great service from a young waiter (like 12 or 13 years old) who spoke no English.  He always had a smile and was very fast with the service.  We said just bring something to eat with a few hand motions.  The beer which the young waiter served too was good.  I wish him all the best in life as he is a great worker with a great personality.  It was hot in the room with the air on, but we were tired and went to sleep quickly.  Another day down.

The next day we drove to Turkmenabat near the Uzbekistan border and spent the night. It was another long drive with no new scenery to mention.  It was still daylight when we arrived. The ambulance was running fine.  The internet at the hotel was poor also, but the beer was cold.  The staff at the hotel was not warm to us at all.  We never intended to do any sightseeing here so it was a night's rest before moving on.

 (I continue to check the ambulance routinely for fluid levels, etc.  Everything continues to be fine. I see no leaks or damage under the vehicle. Tire pressure while driving has been up to 10 pounds higher in the heat of the day, but that is still well within the rating on the tires.)