Chapter 13: The Long Road to Recovery (Olgii, Mongolia to Almaty, Kazakhstan)

Flying over the dusty gravel tracks of the Mongolian steppe which I should have been pedalling
Flying over the dusty gravel tracks of the Mongolian steppe which I should have been pedalling
It was a pity to be robbed of the opportunity to cycle across this country, but I was safe and that's all that mattered
It was a pity to be robbed of the opportunity to cycle across this country, but I was safe and that’s all that mattered
My infected left hand finally stitched up
My infected left hand finally stitched up
A bandaged left hand...
A bandaged left hand…
and a heavily bandaged right hand. My comical appearances meant I easily made friends at the hostel.
and a heavily bandaged right hand. My comical appearances meant I easily made friends at the hostel.
Dan, one of the English trainee doctors analysing the x-ray of my fractured knuckle
Dan, one of the English trainee doctors analysing the x-ray of my fractured knuckle
Elana, the girl I had met in Istanbul, and stayed in contact with, had sent me this dramatic reinterpretation of the incident
Elana, the girl I had met in Istanbul, and stayed in contact with, had sent me this dramatic reinterpretation of the incident
Enjoying a proper drinking session, just what the doctor ordered! (Thanks to Simon for the photo)
Enjoying a proper drinking session, just what the doctor ordered! (Thanks to Simon for the photo)
A parting shot post-surgery with Habu, the Mongolian TV host (Thanks to Habu for the photo)
A parting shot post-surgery with Habu, the Mongolian TV host (Thanks to Habu for the photo)
After such a great three weeks together, our group was finally splitting up. This was Dan and Rosie's farewell dinner.
After such a great three weeks together, our group was finally splitting up. This was Dan and Rosie’s farewell dinner.
Which was swiftly followed by Dom and Tobias' farewell drinks. Here Markus, me and Tobias enjoy some Oktoberfest drinks
Which was swiftly followed by Dom and Tobias’ farewell drinks. Here Markus, me and Tobias enjoy some Oktoberfest drinks
When my bandages were being replaced by Zolboo and Baljka, I was able to catch a glimpse of the metal pins awkwardly sticking out of my hand
When my bandages were being replaced by Zolboo and Baljka, I was able to catch a glimpse of the metal pins awkwardly sticking out of my hand
An x-ray of the same pins showing how far they were embedded into my hand
An x-ray of the same pins showing how far they were embedded into my hand
Delighted to be reunited with Kim in Bishkek. Here we enjoy some of his great Korean cooking.
Delighted to be reunited with Kim in Bishkek. Here we enjoy some of his great Korean cooking.
To offset the grim photos of my hands, have some photos of Kim's kitten, Pyo
To offset the grim photos of my hands, have some photos of Kim’s kitten, Pyo
Pyo liked to watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine with me
Pyo liked to watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine with me
And would get annoyed when I started typing on my laptop, sitting on my hand to stop me
And would get annoyed when I started typing on my laptop, sitting on my hand to stop me

One thought

  1. This was a dramatic, and unfortunate chapter made more so by seeing your photos. You are indeed fortunate that things worked out as well as they did. A wound like that can easily become septic.

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