Part 3/8:
The journey began in Istanbul, where nerves simmered beneath the surface as the travelers cautiousness clashed with a desire for exploration. After an onerous process of passing through multiple layers of security and official checks, they finally set foot on Turkmen soil, only to be greeted by a vast yet eerily empty capital.
With sprawling sidewalks and a visible lack of pedestrians, it didn't take long for them to notice the surreal atmosphere. While the buildings gleamed in their uniform white, the streets felt desolate, leaving them to wonder if the seemingly pristine public spaces were truly devoid of life. A stark contrast to the tourist-infested sites found elsewhere, they felt as though they were in a city that existed purely for show.