Going Nomad on the Kyrgyz Jailoo: Photos 21 to 31

Kymys. Fermented mare's milk. I'd been looking forward to trying it ever since I decided to come to Central Asia, but I guess I'd always had in mind just a small sip, rather than the overflowing bowl Aitbek had just thrust into my hands. I gazed into it uncertainly for a moment, fairly dubious about the tiny pieces of straw and strands of hair bobbing at the surface. But Aitbek just nodded encouragingly, before tipping his own bowl back and slurping it all down in several throaty gulps. Smacking his lips appreciatively, he motioned for me to do the same. And it was good, surprisingly so! Imagine skim milk that's gone sour, mixed with half-flat lemonade, and you'll have some idea of the refreshing, slightly tangy, vaguely alcoholic taste of good kymys. Sensing my pleasant surprise, as I tipped the rest of my bowl down my throat, Aitbek grinned proudly and slapped me on the back. Another convert to the joys of kymys. =P

Kochkor
I'd first met Aitbek and his young family in a shared taxi to Kochkor; a short journey in which we'd quickly exhausted the dozen or so words we knew of each other's language, but continued

Full Text Entry: Going Nomad on the Kyrgyz Jailoo

Oh cool! Kochkor is exactly where I am going in September. I am going to read this blog tomorrow. :) I just want to ask you a couple of questions if you dont mind. Can I take a mini van or shared taxi from Osh Bazzar in Bishkek to Kochkor or is should I try to catch one at the bus station instead? How much is a reasonable price to pay for this? When you were in Kyrgyzstan was it easy to change all major currencies to the local currency? Mel

Hey Michael, your night out on the jailoo sounds amazing as does delicious kymys. Keep up the excellent blogs. Dan

Can't stop laughing.....

What a great experience!!!!!!!! Lovely pictures. Congratulations for your blog. Love from Argentina.

Loved every word and photo!

Hey Michael, I would have loved to have gone horse riding with you up into the mountains! Have you seen my latest Facebook picture? Yurt building looked challenging as well as a lot of fun and you were right, that toilet certainly looked disgusting!

hi michael, looks like you are havinga great time in central asia. stop by korea on your way home if you can - come say hello. stay in touch man - pom! http://daveshawblog.wordpress.com/

This is getting better and better. Loved the narration and photos!

hey again mel, no worries at all, am happy to help out if i can! for getting to kochkor from bishkek, i'm pretty sure that the west (zapadny) bus station is your best option. from what i can tell, there are some buses (although the bus system seems pretty unreliable, to say the least) but i'd opt for one of the frequent minibuses that leave as soon as they're full. shared taxis are another good option, as you supposed. hope that helps! and i'll be looking forward to reading your own kyrgyz blogs - let me know when they start appearing! =)

Hi Michael! Been following your stories for a while, first time commenting, though.^^ It's impressive to see a young man so wise and adventurous traveling around the world, continue to keep your eyes clear, your ears open, and let life lead your way!^^ Thanks for sharing!!^^ Sandra

Thanks Michael :) Less than a month before I go. :) I am going for 9 days and wishing it is 30.

thanks for taking the time to make such a kind comment sandra, although i'm not sure i can lay much claim to being either wise or adventurous!

cheers shao! just checked out your page, and will be looking forward to hearing about the volunteer project in cambodia!

i keep on hearing about central asia just about every day : swiss biodiversity preservation program for turkmenistan forest, yurt life-style in siberia, Uzbek judoka .. and every times it reminds me about how amazing your trip must have been .. so jealouslaa !! hope the comeback to spore aseptic life is not too brutal !! by the way, where's the mullet ? ;) keep the blogs coming !!

Hey Michael, great you have started to write travel blog again, i have been waiting for quite a time to read your blog again. I like the way you describe your encounter all along the travel. Beautiful words;-) Nice photos. it would be great if i have the chance to meet you to share the experience of travelling. If you come to Malaysia or Singapore, feel free to shoot me an mail...looking forward to your next blog @@

Hey there - Awesome journey by the sounds of things. Laughed out loud at your loo video! It's certainly up there with the worst I've seen in my travels! Considering an overland journey back to India from Europe (where I am now) for next visit - so will continue to tune in with interest. Happy travels, Ellen

That is one bad toilet!LOLS!Beautiful writing and beautiful photos ...

Oh cool! Kochkor is exactly where I am going in September. I am going to read this blog tomorrow. :) I just want to ask you a couple of questions if you dont mind. Can I take a mini van or shared taxi from Osh Bazzar in Bishkek to Kochkor or is should I try to catch one at the bus station instead? How much is a reasonable price to pay for this? When you were in Kyrgyzstan was it easy to change all major currencies to the local currency? Mel

Hey Michael, your night out on the jailoo sounds amazing as does delicious kymys. Keep up the excellent blogs. Dan

Can't stop laughing.....

What a great experience!!!!!!!! Lovely pictures. Congratulations for your blog. Love from Argentina.

Loved every word and photo!

Hey Michael, I would have loved to have gone horse riding with you up into the mountains! Have you seen my latest Facebook picture? Yurt building looked challenging as well as a lot of fun and you were right, that toilet certainly looked disgusting!

hi michael, looks like you are havinga great time in central asia. stop by korea on your way home if you can - come say hello. stay in touch man - pom! http://daveshawblog.wordpress.com/

This is getting better and better. Loved the narration and photos!

hey again mel, no worries at all, am happy to help out if i can! for getting to kochkor from bishkek, i'm pretty sure that the west (zapadny) bus station is your best option. from what i can tell, there are some buses (although the bus system seems pretty unreliable, to say the least) but i'd opt for one of the frequent minibuses that leave as soon as they're full. shared taxis are another good option, as you supposed. hope that helps! and i'll be looking forward to reading your own kyrgyz blogs - let me know when they start appearing! =)

Hi Michael! Been following your stories for a while, first time commenting, though.^^ It's impressive to see a young man so wise and adventurous traveling around the world, continue to keep your eyes clear, your ears open, and let life lead your way!^^ Thanks for sharing!!^^ Sandra

Thanks Michael :) Less than a month before I go. :) I am going for 9 days and wishing it is 30.

thanks for taking the time to make such a kind comment sandra, although i'm not sure i can lay much claim to being either wise or adventurous!

cheers shao! just checked out your page, and will be looking forward to hearing about the volunteer project in cambodia!

i keep on hearing about central asia just about every day : swiss biodiversity preservation program for turkmenistan forest, yurt life-style in siberia, Uzbek judoka .. and every times it reminds me about how amazing your trip must have been .. so jealouslaa !! hope the comeback to spore aseptic life is not too brutal !! by the way, where's the mullet ? ;) keep the blogs coming !!

Hey Michael, great you have started to write travel blog again, i have been waiting for quite a time to read your blog again. I like the way you describe your encounter all along the travel. Beautiful words;-) Nice photos. it would be great if i have the chance to meet you to share the experience of travelling. If you come to Malaysia or Singapore, feel free to shoot me an mail...looking forward to your next blog @@

Hey there - Awesome journey by the sounds of things. Laughed out loud at your loo video! It's certainly up there with the worst I've seen in my travels! Considering an overland journey back to India from Europe (where I am now) for next visit - so will continue to tune in with interest. Happy travels, Ellen

That is one bad toilet!LOLS!Beautiful writing and beautiful photos ...