The first piece of interest about Kyrgyzstan is that it is in Asia, and as we all know, in Asia things are often upside down. The second thing is that it is a former Soviet Union country, and you still are able to feel that spirit a bit.
In the capital, Bishkek, you won't see street advertisement quite a lot - mainly near the markets. The main square is guarded with two tall and movement-less guardians in special glass boxes, actually I still have doubts, whether they were alive.
A huge flag and a statue of the epic hero Manas are there and, of course, lots of fountains, where children joyfully play in hot summer days.
All of this, especially dozen times repainted fountains, tells about the past soviet traditions: architecture, city space modeling, monumentality and citizens.
If I had been asked about the only one thing I was surprised the most about Bishkek, I would have told that it was a pedestrian crossing on six(!) lanes of main street without traffic lights!
But the city is really cute and quite cozy, you may feel some domestic or small village atmosphere, while walking between women selling roasted sunflower seeds, salted beans and nuts, ice cream and national cold drinks just sitting on the street, from hands.
You can even find there an oldschool vending machines with soda water and one glass for all the customers - no plastic glasses, only if you have your own with you.
The drinks worth of tasting are national drink called kumis from horse milk and manufactured Maksym-shoro, Chalap-shoro, Zharma-shoro, Bozo- shoro. I bet, you have never taste something similar if you are not from those places.
Walking around Bishkek you should drop into parks, where you'll find old marry-go-rounds, autocars, street exhibitions and, what is much more interesting, you'll meet people - mostly round faced and with specific form of eyes - for me these eyes seem to be always smiling :).
And, of course, you need to get to a market - because near the market all the miracles happen - life sprouts and you are immersed in it. Try to find and test local specific food:
1. bread - lavash (it's similar to pita)
2. sour horse milk - kumiss
3. fresh and dried fruits
4. salted and roasted beans
5. salted corn grains
And national Kirghiz dish - beshbarmak! It is hand made pasta with chopped meat, animal fat and greenstuff.
Ok, first impression about Bishkek was received and now we are moving to Karakol - the place, from where our alpine trip begins. Continue reading with Part 2.
In the capital, Bishkek, you won't see street advertisement quite a lot - mainly near the markets. The main square is guarded with two tall and movement-less guardians in special glass boxes, actually I still have doubts, whether they were alive.
A huge flag and a statue of the epic hero Manas are there and, of course, lots of fountains, where children joyfully play in hot summer days.
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| Monument to epic hero Manas in Bishkek |
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| Main square in Bishkek |
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| Old fountains in Bishkek |
If I had been asked about the only one thing I was surprised the most about Bishkek, I would have told that it was a pedestrian crossing on six(!) lanes of main street without traffic lights!
 |
| Six lane mane road with non regulated pedestrian crossings |
You can even find there an oldschool vending machines with soda water and one glass for all the customers - no plastic glasses, only if you have your own with you.
 |
| The gray vending machine is that historical one with soda water. Near it is there is a pair of scales and a sign "Get to know your weight". And a price for this service. |
Walking around Bishkek you should drop into parks, where you'll find old marry-go-rounds, autocars, street exhibitions and, what is much more interesting, you'll meet people - mostly round faced and with specific form of eyes - for me these eyes seem to be always smiling :).
And, of course, you need to get to a market - because near the market all the miracles happen - life sprouts and you are immersed in it. Try to find and test local specific food:
1. bread - lavash (it's similar to pita)
2. sour horse milk - kumiss
3. fresh and dried fruits
4. salted and roasted beans
5. salted corn grains
And national Kirghiz dish - beshbarmak! It is hand made pasta with chopped meat, animal fat and greenstuff.
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| Beshbarmak - traditional dish of Kyrgyzstan |
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