6th Day-At Cholpan-Ata, Lake Issy-Kul

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Day 6, June 30, 2009, Tuesday, Sheishembi:

Did I mention the rain? Yesterday was a washout, no trip to the beach. The clouds darkened and gathered over the mountain tops and then brought the rain and cold down with them. It was snowing at the higher elevations and there is new snow on the mountain tops that we can see from our motel and our vantage points. I have tried to look-up just how high these mountains and the lake are, but I don't have that information stored in my computer. I put the pdf version of one guide and some language lessons on my computer before leaving the US, but I see that I should have brought one of the more comprehensive guides with me for this kind of information. Of course, if I had internet access I would be able to look it up. But access to the internet is still not something ordinary. Nor is the use of email and other electronic forms of communication a part of everyday life here. The weather was cold and it even chilled me yesterday. So it was a day of sleep and eat, and talk, and laugh with Timka, and learning more Kyrgyz.

Today, I awoke again at 5 am and when I went outside to see what was happening the sun was just beginning to come up over the mountains to the East. The mountains are remarkably beautiful and majestic in their grandeur and silence. It is impossible for me to get a really good snapshot of them with the cameras I have with me, but I have taken some that I think will produce images that will give some indication of their beauty.

The wind is still a little chilly, but Timka and I are heading to the beach again, maybe for the last time on this trip. We have had a small breakfast of blinis (crepes) with a kind of crème fresh. I have also had a Zone Perfect bar to provide a little protein. Our meals have included a great deal of starch in the form of noodles and nan. Last night I opted for sausages and rice, and a bowl of borscht which surprisingly was filled with cabbage, onion, turnips, and meat. It was a good soup. But again, I need only about half of what is being served and need to be stronger about it since it really bothers me to waste food. But my body is telling me to eat less and keep losing the weight. It is difficult though in the current situation. The vegetables that are available are actually the starchy ones, except for tomatoes (pomedoro) and cucumbers (badring). And there are no greens other than the cabbages.

So, Timka and I are off the beach to see what is happening at the water. It is like paradise.

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Photos

My friend Timurlan
Timka for short, who helps me navigate the language and the cultural issues.

View of the mountains
A view from the motel of the mountains

Sunset at Cholpan-Ata
A Kygyzstan sunset