I have not been posting any videos recently because the connection speed in Iraq, Iran and Turkmenistan has been pretty slow. Furthermore, countries like Turkey and Iran are blocking youtube. I will try to post some videos when I get a chance.

Square

Mr. President rotating with the sun

Arch of Neutrality again

Earthquake museum

Took a bus to Tolkuchka Bazaar.

Colorful cloths

Shashlyk

Sheepskin hat

Turkmen’s carpet

Cloths

Korean Kimchi

Went to the terminal at 2pm to get a shared taxi to Mary. Waited for an hour for the taxi to be full. The ride to Mary is around 350km and that took 4 hours. (20 new Manat~USD7).

There weren’t any hostel in Mary and had to check in to a hotel. There is a different price for locals and foreigners for hotel accommodation. The hotel is pretty old and paid USD$30 for a crappy room. This is the most I have paid for a night of accommodation in my trip so far.
I can feel that spring under the mattress all over my body.

Walked around Mary at night. Mary is not a big city, with a population of just around 100,000.
Typical white marble buildings

Mr. President

Mosque

Witnessed a local Turkmen bar brawl later at night.

Valparaiso which is also a UNESCO heritage site and Vina Del Mar is around 1.5 hours drive away from Santiago.
Both Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar are close by each other, 15 minutes drive away
Valparaiso is a port city and Vina Del Mar is more of a place with beach resorts and newer buildings

[mappress]
Grab lunch at a seafood restaurant

Cerviche

Crab Cake

Valparaiso at night

Went to the casino at Vina Del Mar at night, then head back home.