Just back from London after my second Kyrgyzstan - Kazakhstan trip. Local tea was so-so, but I took with me my new portable bamboo gungfu tea box/table and amazed people both in Bishkek and Almaty with Nai Xiang oolong. On my way in the borders were closed and we had to cross the ancient Silk Road Kaz-Kyr border on foot dragging our luggage through angry crowd. On my way back Kazakh border guards at the same crossing fished out my Dai bamboo puerh (from David Hoffman Silk Road Teas!) and there was no doubt in their mind that this was pressed marihuana. Half of them wanted me arrested, half - to let me go, saying that as long as geologists like myself find gold and oil, who cares what they smoke! I was let go, but there was no doubt in their minds that this was pot. I need to do something about this - I may not be so lucky next time. To be arrested in the middle of the real Silk Road for carrying puerh from California Silk Road Teas would not be fun, especially during current political turmoil.
Sasha.