Postcard from Bishkek

A few years ago I was in a meeting where one speaker stood up to make a point and once having been granted the floor would not release to podium until, basically, the microphone was turned off.  Actually, I felt that the point he was making was a perfectly valid one … that the document being considered was poorly drafted and the loose use of language made it vague, difficult to understand and more importantly, laid it wide open to misinterpretation, misunderstanding and misuse.

Afterwards, we got chatting and he said to me, “Ian, I know I am a pedant … but it’s important!”  I have to admit that I agreed with him … and still do.

In a blog like this, I can probably afford to be a little vague, in order to get across to readers the general idea that I am trying to convey, but in an official document, or a debate on a complex topic then we do need a measure of precision to avoid the Solipsism of Lewis Carroll’s Humpty Dumpty – who used words to mean just what he choose them to mean — neither more nor less.

I have a confession to make: for a long time I was confused about the difference between such terms as trekking, hiking, rambling and walking.  That’s a bit of a handicap for someone working in Tourism in Kyrgyzstan – especially as Kyrgyzstan is known as a “Trekkers’ Paradise”.

Like a lot of other people, I found myself using them almost interchangeably as synonym – but they are not really the same thing – there are subtle distinctions.

Humpty Dumpty would have enjoyed the situation … when Alice asks ’whether you can make words mean so many different things’, he responds ‘The question is which is to be master — that’s all.’

Apparently he has a point … in English many words have many meanings … and many words distinguish the nuances of fine distinctions between different situations.  This is just one example of such differentiation.

 

Generally, the word walk simply means to travel on foot, (at a pace slower than a run –  which, in turn, is usually taken to mean that at least one foot remains on the ground at all times), for either pleasure or exercise.  It is possible, for example, to take a stroll, (a walk for pleasure – perhaps “aimless”), through a park around the city center.

The idea of aimlessly wandering is often called a ramble.  In Britain, however, it can have a slightly different meaning; to go “on a ramble” can mean to go walking in the countryside, usually along a network of Public Walkways that cross Privately owned land.

This is thanks, at least in part, to an organization called simply the Ramblers’ Association.  Their aim is It is a charity whose goal is “to protect the ability of people to enjoy the sense of freedom and benefits that come from being outdoors on foot”, As well as organizing activities such as walks along particular routes, they publish guides and put up directional signs and also educative materials about how to walk in the countryside responsibly – respecting and protecting wildlife, the landscape and the people who earn their livelihoods from the land.  They also organize lobbying campaigns both to protect existing walkways and to expand the opportunities by opening more routes.

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments.  It usually involves an extended walk over a long distance, although a day hike refers to one that can be completed in a single day.  The practice of undertaking a longer hike that take several days, involving camping are often referred to as backpacking, (a reference to the “back packs” borne to carry the goods necessary for the journey).   

For the record: there are other terms.  In the United Kingdom, for example, walking in mountainous areas is sometimes called hillwalking, (or Fellwalking in Northern England).  In New Zealand the phrase tramping is common especially for hikes in mountainous regions which take several days.  Bushwhacking specifically refers to difficult walking through dense forest, undergrowth, or bushes, where forward progress requires pushing vegetation aside.

A trek, on the other hand, implies a slow or arduous journey, (usually on foot – although the word traces its origins to South Africa where it referred to journeys using ox wagons, such as that of the Boers in 1830s), especially through mountainous regions.

The phrase is also used to refer to hikes which take several days in the mountainous regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal, North America, South America, Iran and in the highlands of East Africa, or hiking along a long distance trail such as the Appalachian Trail in the States or the Pennine Way in England.

Although trekking tours are available, (we offer them, for example), the concept of “backpacking” often implies travelling independently rather than in a group or on an organised tour.

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These days I tend to use the term walk to refer to a perambulation (now, there’s another synonym) within the city – such as a walking tour – or a short walk in the country lasting, say, only up to a few hours – for example, to take a walk to the waterfall; a hike for a walk in the mountains with a particular destination in mind that lasts up to a day – such as to hike over a pass or in a particular valley; and trek for longer, more difficult  journeys that may take several days such as from Altyn Arashan to Djety Oguz.

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These notes are based on ones that were draw up a few years ago in response to an inquiry from a prospective client who was weighing up the advantages of organized as opposed to independent travel and raise specific issues which may be particularly relevant to the “backpacker” – but may also be of interest to other travelers.

Your first night:

• Phone home! Tell your family that you have arrived safely.
• Remember that you are at your most vulnerable when you arrive, so it is a good idea to book accommodation in advance, before you go, if at all possible.  (If you don’t like where you are staying, you can always go elsewhere the next day.)
• If you are going to arrive late, be aware that accommodation may be difficult to find at night.
• If you decide to go out after checking in at your hotel or guesthouse, make sure you know how to get back! Take your guidebook with you. Some hotels and guesthouses can give you cards that show you how to get back.

Hitchhiking:

• Be very cautious about hitchhiking.
• Try not to hitchhike at night.
• It is best to travel in pairs and
• Be aware that drivers may expect payment.

Souvenirs:

• If in doubt, don’t buy wildlife souvenirs.Make sure any wildlife souvenirs or products can be legally taken out of the country and legally imported into your home country when you return. Don’t be fooled by statements like ‘Believe me, it’s OK’. Some wildlife souvenirs are banned from international trade, many more require special permits, (and that includes the countries you will travel through in transit). Customs throughout the world confiscate illegal souvenirs and, when you get home, you could face a criminal prosecution and unlimited fines.

Work:

• Do not work illegally.
• If you have a “tourist visa” you are NOT allowed to work whilst you are in Kyrgyzstan.  You can be fined, imprisoned and/or deported if you do.  You may also be prevented from entering the country again in the future.
• In the event that you do find work in Kyrgyzstan,
  • make sure that you (and your prospective employer) comply with all the relevant employment regulation and
  • remember that you will have to pay tax.

Visa:

• Fortunately, many visitors – but not all – benefit from the decision in 2012 to introduce a Visa Free Regime, and so they can visit the country for up to 60 days without having to get one.  For those that do have to have a visa, then it will have dates for which it is valid.  In either case do not overstay - beyond the limit allowed under the Visa Free Regime or on the visa.  You can extend your visa in most cases, but if you don’t … then you can be fined,  imprisoned and/or deported.

 

Finally,

Here is some advice from a seasoned “backpacker”:

• Have fun, after all, it’s why you’re backpacking in the first place.
  • Take your time
  • Remember to allow yourself plenty of leisure time en route so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.
  • Pick your companions wisely.
  • Don’t waste too much time fretting over “small stuff”
• Be prepared.
  • Know your equipment.
  • Know your own abilities.
  • Know where you’re going  - Do your homework … Read up about where you are going and get tips from other travelers.
• Carry good food.
  • including an antacid (!)

 

 

Tags: Tourism