TRAVERSE 5
EDITORIAL
TRAVERSE :
Travel Educates , Right ?
Recently returned from Kyrgyzstan I had the notion of what travel is about reinforced , not only by the country but also my travelling companions , you see they were from a country that is hated at this very moment by many in the West .
My fellow bike travellers were Russians , all of them , and although our worlds are very different the similarities were astounding . The political views , although from a nation that is seen as a demon , were perhaps no different to that of my home country , Australia , and certainly no different to that of the worlds ‘ greatest democracy ’. The only difference being the location of residence or birth .
The subject of Ukraine did come to the fore , on a number of occasions , it made for an interest conversation , and generally not how you would be led to believe . Honest , open discussion with varying points of view , one constant , no one wants conflict and the senseless loss of life .
As we rode through the amazing country that is Kyrgyzstan , we became friends , sharing stories of our discoveries , our riding , our homes , laughing at the silly things we ’ d done together in the mountains along the Silk Route with a little too many local
‘ moonshines ’. A bond grew across the geo-political spectrum and a difference of opinions as we got to know each other .
As the situation in Russia escalated , whilst we were travelling , I got to see what it meant to my fellow bike riders , some who were world travellers . No one said so , yet I could see the worry , the fear of not knowing what the outcome would be , and regardless of their political views it was clear that these guys were just like me , and you , people that share a love of travel , who want nothing more than peace to be able to discover as much of the world as possible .
It reinforced what travel should be , a chance to listen , to disagree , to understand , to learn , and to grow .
And if you are after great riding , amongst some of the best landscapes and history , recent and past , then make sure you add Kyrgyzstan to your list , and read our features further on to get a greater understanding .
Leigh
TRAVERSE 5