The ultimate marshrutka experience

Imagine playing Twister in a moving minivan in 90 degree weather and you've got a pretty good picture of what Bishkek marshrutka rides are like. I pay 8 som (around 20 cents) to get a ride around town with 20-25 other people. Yes, that number is over the capacity of what it should normally hold. Since this is Central Asia, older ladies have seating priority and depending on who is getting on and off of the marshrutka, the ride also becomes like a game of musical chairs. Well, maybe not because that would mean that seats would be removed...Anyway, the drivers install hand rails from the van ceiling and we just hang on for dear life along with everyone else and off we go. I did attempt to take a photo, but it's hard to do it justice.