Travel Blog » Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

Osh Travel Blogs

Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nation-wide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July of 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.

Kyrgyzstan

Map of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan's Flag

Hostels in Kyrgyzstan
Latest Osh Blog Entries
Osh Photos

By calpreece
September 28th 2009

Day 22, Swimming in Osh Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

The Lenin Statue in Osh

Day 22, July 17, 2009, Friday, Juma: Three weeks in Kyrgyzstan and I never really know what is coming next. I am now told that Colonel Nurmatov as some plans for us to see the country, especially some fine natural spots, with water. That may or may not delay the return to Bishkek. Late yesterday I was told that Gulnara, who is the boss, after all, wanted me to go to Kyzylkia to see the grandparents at the village. Then I was to fly back to Bishkek on Sunday. We will see just how far that gets. I keep saying that [View Full Entry]

By calpreece
September 28th 2009

23rd Day, Last Day in Osh Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

At the Ak Borok

Day 24, July 19, 2009, Sunday, Jekshembi: So, the schedule did get worked out and we bought a ticket on Kyrgyz Airline to return me to Bishkek today. That meant that most of yesterday was full of goodbyes including a visit in the late afternoon to the home of Amariam for an afternoon meal including a sheep's head. Amariam and I talked about what it takes to get accepted at an American University. She is preparing to take the TOEFL here and the SAT exam as she graduates. Her English is very good, with only an occasional difficulty. She would like [View Full Entry]

By calpreece
September 25th 2009

Day 21, July 16, 2009, Thursday, Beishembi Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

The Welcome Spread

Day 21, July 16, 2009, Thursday, Beishembi: I got home about 10 pm from yesterday's adventure into the heart of Southern Kyrgyzstan and the village of Aidarken. I was exhausted from the travel and the experiences and went straight to bed after unloading a bag full of goodies from the afternoon-long-into-the-sunset-dinner at the home of Faruh's wife's family. Travel to Aidarken was with Faruh's brother-in-law and his wife and baby, Mustafa. Faruh's brother-in-law studied theology for 10 years at Al-Azhar in Cairo and he works in the foundation that represents the ideas of Fetulla [View Full Entry]

By calpreece
September 22nd 2009

Day 20, Waiting to Travel Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

jyzym hanging in the garden

Day 20, July 15, 2009, Wednesday, Sharshembi: I awoke a little late again this morning. It affects getting any writing done or any reflection. It is one of the difficulties when one is doing home stays. Getting some time alone to write was easier in Bishkek because everybody slept until at least 8 or 9 am and they left me alone. Here in Osh, the family actually keeps normal hours and are up by 7:30 am or by 8 at the latest and wants to feed me, or have a conversation. Marat is watching the part of “I Am Legend,” the [View Full Entry]

By calpreece
September 21st 2009

Day 19, In the Southern City Of Osh Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

On the streets of Osh

Day 19, July 14, 2009, Tuesday, Sheishembi: The day yesterday was interesting, Marat woke me about 6 am as planned and told me that I should have breakfast and we would head out to climb the stairs of the mountain to a Museum in a cave at the top of Soloman's Throne, or Suleman's Throne. The rock is a promontory of jagged mountain that dominates the Osh skyline. It sits more or less in the center of the city. From the observation area about half-way up you can look out over all of the city of Osh. Last year when I [View Full Entry]

By calpreece
September 21st 2009

20th Day, Osh and more Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

Osh Street

By calpreece
September 19th 2009

Day 18, First Day in Osh Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

On the road to Osh

Day 18, July 13, 2009, Monday, Duishombu: The day has begun in Osh with the sound of “Allah Ahkbar” issuing from the minarets of the local mosques. It is was unusual to hear the sound at a little before 5 am this morning, since I have not heard it once in Bishkek or in Lake Issy-Kul. And there was something comforting about hearing the call to prayer in a country that while run by a secular government, is predominately Islamic in its belief structures. The day promises to be one of other surprises and revelations, I am sure. I have been [View Full Entry]

By thedribbleman
April 28th 2009

Arslanbob Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

x country skiing

Donkeys screeching, sheep baaaing, cows mooing, dogs barking, ducks quaking. These are not the sounds that bring skiing to mind. And only 3 years ago, here skiing was unheard of. If you ski here in the next few years you could be classed as a pioneer. I was the 25th person this year and one of the first 50 people ever in the history of the world to ski the mountains off Arslanbob. 4 hours from Osh after a series of shared taxis it is a place that is known locally as a pilgrimage. It is said that the Prophet Mohammed [View Full Entry]

By meghanvesey
September 12th 2008

Up, down, all around! Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

Flowers in Kyrgyzstan

Yes, for anyone who is wondering, we are still alive. Lack of internet cafe's and lack of patience on dial-up connections has contributed to our long silence! We have been in Kyrgyzstan since August 27th. It's a beautiful country with lots of mountains and fresh air. The country is not heavily populated and doesn't have big cities so we've been camping quite a bit. Pictures are not working for us right now... The application will not load properly. Maybe later we'll be able to upload some files... Tomorrow we leave for Uzbekistan. Another adventure! Here are some of the thing [View Full Entry]

By kirstent
September 10th 2008

With a name like Arslanbob ...why wouldn't you go there? Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh

Town Sign on the way to Arslanbob

With the visit to Song-Kul Lake changed due to the snow we had an extra day in Kyrgyzstan. Claire and Dave decided that with a name like Arslanbob we needed to go there ..... Reading the Lonely Planet it sounded like a beautiful place ...walnut forests all around.... a little Uzbek village that is trying to generate more tourism. This year they had 1300 foreign visitors to the village. Once again we headed west. This time we came out of the flat country and back into the hills. We were heading through the Fergana Valley. Arslanbob turned out to be [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Asia » Kyrgyzstan » Osh