Most of the city is negotiable by foot and so I spent the day doing various odds and ends that normally accompany arrival in a big, modern city. It's wonderfully well laid out in true Soviet style and there's a real mix of Russians, Kyrgyz, Kazakk and Uzbeks. I get the feeling that there are quite a few wealthy people here, though mostly probably Russian. The wages are higher here than in the rest of the country and the cars people are driving are certainly up a notch from the south. An enormous number of Mercedes patrol the streets with exceptionally cool numberplates and blacked out windows. One suspects they are government cars but the numberplate "007 KG" is a favourite. Sadly it was near the government White House and the guard outside didn't look like he'd appreciate photographs.

I was actually feeling rather fragile from the night before and managed to find the remedy at the local expat hangout - a full English breakfast! It's been ages since I've had some Western food and it felt about time. There I bumped into Tom, A German guy who I had met in Samarkand, and we spent the rest of the day chilling doing admin stuff, before heading for a few beers. It's nice to have a rest before the mountain treks later in the week!