It was my first stop on the adventure

Since many years have passed and I have lost my photos from the trip, I would like to share the memories with you. I went to Kyrgyzstan during the summer. As I stayed there for about a month, I had plenty of opportunities to explore. The cities I visited were Bishkek, Narin, Talas, Karakol, Tokmok, Issyk-Kul, and Seven Bulls. Unfortunately, I can no longer remember the cities and their specific features, as I traveled to 26 more countries after Kyrgyzstan. ☺ But one thing I remember vividly: it is a marvelous place in terms of nature. The mountains, lakes, and plains are unspoiled. Everything is lush green, and the waters are clean. By the shore of a lake, we had eaten horse meat, which I will never forget because I haven’t had horse meat since that day ☺. It tasted a bit peculiar, but it was delightful. We also drank Kumys, which is horse milk. It had a slightly sour taste, and it was an unfamiliar flavor to us. They say that after consuming Kumys for three days, it starts to have a mind-altering effect ☺.

During the trip, we also had the chance to ride horses, even if it was just for 5-10 meters, simply to have the experience of being on horseback. Throughout the cities, we saw statues and posters of Stalin. Apparently, the people have great respect for Stalin. There is also a strong Russian hegemony and admiration. For example, in the capital, Bishkek, approximately 80% of the conversations are in Russian. In the smaller towns and villages, however, people are deeply connected to their history and culture, which can be understood from their way of life and attire. It is a country with a stark contrast in terms of urbanism. You can see both familiar high-rise buildings and settlements still consisting of tents. In terms of democracy, the country is a bit behind; in fact, there was a coup three months before we arrived. Bribery is well-developed and has become professional. When the police stop you, you simply give them a fee like 5 dollars and continue without any unnecessary delays such as document inspections or communication.

Conclusion

A classic Central Asian country. You can find many things that are also associated with us. The Kyrgyz people generally have a liking for the Turks. If you are curious about your ancestors’ origins, if you want to ride a horse and try horse meat, if you wish to experience tent life and immerse yourself in the ancient Turkish culture, then Kyrgyzstan is one of the beautiful places you can visit.