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Published: September 12th 2009
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Borzoi
A mountain borzoi (yurt) where trout and bishbarmak were being served Day 8, July 2, 2009, Thursday, Beishembi Surprise, surprise, we are still in Cholpan-Ata at the Cafe Chebek and the motel with the empty swimming pool. Our plans to return to Bishkek were changed around noon. Emil called from America to tell me that we were not going back to the city until Friday. When we had first worked on a bit of a schedule for me during this month without him we had discussed staying at the lake for about a week. Apparently when he found out that his mother had only scheduled 4 days, he changed everybody's plans. Timurlan and I were not sure how we felt about it yesterday. After all, we were all packed and ready to go back. But we decided to make the most of it and took yesterday as a do nothing day. Today, we will make the best of it. I would like to go into the downtown area of Cholpan-Ata today. I understand that there is a Presidential Yurt (Bozoi) and I would like to have some photographs of that and the town along the roadway. I also would like to see if I can get about $100 in US cash
Cholpan-Ata
A mounument and the gravesite of the developer of Cholpan-Ata. to have in my pocket for emergencies. There is just no comfort like a picture of Benjamin Franklin in your pocket. And maybe we can find a bazaar and buy a watermelon or some other melon to add to our diet. The rather constant diet of starches and meat are beginning to wear on me. I know I can get some fruit at the little bazaar down the way, but it would be nice to share a watermelon or kon (melon) with everyone here.
I also want to swim today, since the wind has died down and it is warming up some this morning already. It should be a good beach day in the afternoon between 1 and 4.
Oh, and today is my birthday. I am now 67 or 68 depending on how you count it. In Kyrgyz I am Altimish-Jeti today. I actually slept late and did not wake until about 6 am. I took a shower, but without hot water I was not ready to try and shave. I will see if there is hot water when I return to the room. Timka is still asleep, and if I am lucky he will remain in
A sunny day
A sunny day at the beach brought out the crowds bed until about 10 a.m. Then we will take a Taxi into Cholpan-Ata. I am feeling remarkably well. My back was bothering me yesterday, either I slept wrong or did something that irritated the sciatica or just twisted it somehow. I took some pain relievers and that seems to have done the job. Part of my problem here is that chairs are a luxury and hard to find. People still sit and eat on the floor, or on elevated platforms. I just cannot do it for very long, and certainly cannot do it for a meal. Usually, I have to find a chair and pull it up to whatever area is being used. Or I just eat off my stomach shelf like a buffet.
So, we will see what the day brings. I have always enjoyed my birthday at the beach in the past, I am sure I will do so today. Maybe I should buy a cake or some cookies at the bazaar in Cholpan-Ata.
I am a little concerned that I have been out of touch with the world and the news of what is happening with my friends, etc. We are on an 11 hour difference with Houston, 13 to California, and so we are really out of touch. I am halfway around the world and in the same time zone as Bangkok. Amazing.
I would like to find out from Tariq, the filmmaker on
Zero Bridge if there is any news from the Los Angeles Film Fest. I am sure there are email messages with some news in them, but we have not found an internet cafe here yet. From my Lonely Planet guide I understand that there is internet service at the post office in Cholpan-Ata. I will attempt to get Timurlan to negotiate the process for me after he gets up and running. I think we are only about 2 kilometers or about a mile from the town where we are located. I have been studying a map this morning and think I know where I am and where I am going. Always helpful if you are in a strange place. But like most men, I would rather get lost and then find my way. It is a small thrill to discover that you really did understand what you are doing. So, the day begins. I have about an hour to read more Said Nursi and then have some breakfast
(Tamak) and get on our way.
Here is a web link to more information about
Lake Issy-Kul. We are a little over a mile above sea level.
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