I have been lucky enough to ride in several countries in that part of the world. It is not as intimidating as you might think although having someone along who speaks the language is a big plus. If you:
- are polite and respectful
- remember that you are a guest in their country
- things happen at their own pace and that may not be what you are used to
- have your paper work in order. Border crossings are measured in hours usually, not minutes.
- brush up on the customs that you should be aware of
- etc.
it goes fairly smooth. Most people want to interact with you. Asking where you are from, where you are going, etc.
I carry small flag pins that I hand out to kids I run into and find that really helps get through to the adults who are nearby. The stony faced man, with an AK-47 slung over his shoulder, even breaks a smile when he sees his child light up.
Something that really attracts people's interest is big bikes travelling in a group. That is a rare site and never fails to attract attention. There were times it was a little scary as cars woIt uld come right up next to you in order to take videos. Even on narrow, winding, 2 lane roads.
It really does help you realize what you have and be appreciative of it.