Hidden Campsite, Near Karakol, Kyrgyzstan 2003

Camping was a common means of lodging throughout the trip. Most small to mid-size towns (even some cities) wouldn't have hotels or anything resembling it (combination whore house / hotel, but that's another story). Camping it was.

To avoid possible robberies I'd try to slip off to a concealed spot for the night. One night I was spotted, thankfully the only visitor I got was the next morning. Some sort of park ranger, I tactfully gave him with some chocolate, no fine:).