Blogs from Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Asia - page 4

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 to Osh twice before, but on the typical run and shoot visit that marks much of my travels with Emil. We would whisk into town on our way to another destination, manage a meal, pickup ... read more

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 things we have been up to: Our first wedding anniversary... September 1st was our first wedding anniversary! For those dying to know how we celebrated, it was not in a fancy hotel with clean clothes. ;-) On ... read more

We drove back to Kochkor as we resumed out journey west . It was a great day - driving around the southern side of Lake Issy-Kul. All day it was the lake to the right of us and spectacular snow capped mountains to the left. Everywhere you looked were awesome views. We stopped in a small town for lunch. There seemed to be only one cafe serving food in the town so I think we stressed them out somewhat when all 25 of us turned up to the same place (we usually try to lessen the impact by going to different restuarants). We drove all afternoon and returned to the same homestay in Kochkor that we stayed in earlier. The next couple of nights were bushcamping - with roof seats most of the way! We left ... read more

My chest infection got worse, but it hasn't kept me down! Okay so the last time I left you I was in Osh, well now I am in Tashkent, in Uzbekistan, but first let me connect the dots. My last night in Osh was supposed to be "pretty cruisy" remember? Well, it started out that way, David and I headed out to find some dinner and not wanting to go the freezing cold restaurant from the night before we headed to one that looked warm, sat down and David asked for the menu. The waitress looked at him and asked why we needed a menu if they only served one thing, chicken. Not wanting chicken we asked for some beers, she left only to return a short time later to say that they didn't have any ... read more

das letzte hallo aus kirgistan! sind gerade noch in osh, sued-kirgistan, an der grenze zu usbekistan und nicht weit von tadjikistan. obwohl wir einigen mitgeteilt haben wir wuerden heute schon auf dem weg nach china sein haben wir gestern abend, nach einigen bier und viel tanzerei (es war "student day" in osh!) entschieden den heutigen tag etwas ruhiger angehen zu lassen. also keine ruckelige maschrutkafahrt, kein kurviges aus dem fenster gucken sondern fruehstueck am fluss und danach einen kaffefe in der sonne. heute nachmittag haben wir nach einigen ungereimtheiten und den ueblichen verstaendigungsproblemen doch noch herausgefunden das eventuell morgen frueh um sieben vielleicht die moeglichkeit besteht mit einem oeffentlichen verkehrsmittel nach sary tash (kleines kaff auf dem weg nach china) zu kommen. wir werden sehen und sind gespannt! osh gefaellt uns sehr, endlich rich... read more