31-Aug-2006 -- This confluence lies just 7km northwest from the Jalal Abad, near a settlement called Spasovka. Jalal Abad lies just a few kilometers north of one the main border crossings to Uzbekistans Ferghana valley, and is
therefore buzzing with activity although it is significantly smaller
than nearby Osh. The 7km distance airline translated to a 20km round
trip with a taxi. I visited the confluence on the 15th Anniversary of
Kyrgysztans Independence (which was celebrated with extra vigour in
border districts), so I arranged to go there early in the morning before
the extensive festivities would have made it difficult to get out of
town. Air quality is terrible in the area and even in the early morning
and with a moderate breeze going the smell of diesel and benzine fumes
was overwhelming.
On the way to the confluence we drove past a lot of dismantled plants
and other rundown or defunct infrastructure, which showed what a heavy
hit the breakdown of the soviet empire was for the region, from which it
clearly has not completely recovered. I had to walk the last 700m
because a part of the road was washed away.
The actual spot lies in the dried up river bed of the Kjok Arm. To get
there I had to get permission to cross the wheat fields of a local
farmer which he gladly gave. I took the pictures and got back in time to
watch the obligatory parade in Jalal Abad.