Bishkek

The capital city of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, was founded in 1878. Being a relatively new city, there are not many sights to see. Most of the buildings are designed with a typical soviet architecture, and all the streets are perpendicular.

Anyway I feel at home here. People are warm and friendly, I can find everything I need, and I'm making progress with my Russian.

Ala-Too Square, the center of the city. A statue of Lenin used to dominate the place, but they moved it just behind in 2003.

Freedom Square and its World War II monument.

The State Philharmonic Hall.

 The view from my room on the 8th floor. As you can see, the Ala-Too mountain range is not far away from Bishkek.

The city is very green. There are trees in much of the streets, and lot of parks where children can play. Here Oak Park on Erkindik Avenue.

 Drivers usually stop for pedestrians when a crosswalk does not have traffic lights.

The weather forecast for the next few days: dry and hot.

Orozo Ait

For the next few weeks, I'm living in a host family in Bishkek. There is Asel, who speaks very good German; her brother that I actually didn't met yet because he's currently working far away; and his wife Naziria with their two young children.

On Sunday - my first day here - Asel brought me to the Osh Bazaar, a huge market where you can buy absolutely anything: groceries, spices, shoes, clothes, electronic devices, toys, etc.

Osh Bazaar

I've read that it is a known place for corrupted policemen to check the passport of foreigners and trying to extort money from them. However being with a local person, it is very unlikely that I get any problem. Beside that there are many Russian people in Bishkek; as long as I don't walk with my camera around the neck or with a huge backpack, I guess I just look like a plain local Russian.

Osh Bazaar

During the afternoon, she invited my at her (other) brother's who lives in a house in the south neighborhood of Bishkek. She said 'maybe there will be some food, maybe not'. Now you have to know that last Sunday in Kyrgyzstan was the so called Orozo Ait, a holiday marking the last day of the Ramadan. And to celebrate the end of the fast, they eat. A lot. And of course guests are expected to do so too.

But I didn't fasted during the last month, I ate the whole time! I'm just not that hungry... Anyway, I asked Asel what is considered as acceptable behavior, and she explained it would be rude not to eat anything, but trying a few things without finishing them is alright.

Afterwards we were having a drink with Asel and her sister-in-law, when the later received an invitation from a friend to 'have a cup of tea'. So we all went there and ate some more...

The family of Asel's brother.

The friend of the brother's family and Asel.

'...to have a cup of tea.'

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan

After some months of preparations consisting mainly of:
- Refreshing my Russian - I know about 500-600 words now.
- Learning how to ride a horse, as it apparently is a must here.
- Getting all the recommended vaccines for a long stay in Kyrgyzstan, that is 5 visits to the doctor! (et dorénavant je ne crains plus même les chauve-souris enragées).
I eventually took the plane and arrived yesterday in Bishkek, the capital city of the Kyrgyz Republic. A driver picked me up and drove me to my host family, where I will stay the next few weeks.

Stopover in Moscow during the night. At 3 o'clock the sun is already rising.

 Manas airport. It was raining when I landed, but with 30°C it already dried while I was waiting for my luggage and crossing the border.

 The cracked windshield along with the cows on the highway already remind me that I'm not in Switzerland any more.

Welcome to Бишкек (Bishkek). We have here 4 hours of time difference with Central European Time.

Edem na vostok

Six years ago I rode my bike from Geneva to North Cape, and related my adventures in the blog Едем на север (Edem na sever), that is 'Let go to the north' in Russian.

This year I'm back with another project and another blog, where север (sever) is replaced by восток (vostok) - as within Vladivostok - which means 'east'.

Indeed I'm planning to stay about two months in the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia, in order to learn some more Russian and to visit the country, without any bike this time.

I've booked a flight to Bishkek from the 23rd of June to the 3rd of September and I'm currently organizing my trip.

Stay tuned!
Pierre-Yves

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