We're back in the "stans" of Central Asia. This time, we're in Kyrgyzstan which is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. Dan arrived on August 24, and I followed on September 12 so this time I am truly a "trailing spouse."
We're living in the comfortable Hotel Holiday, and our room has a beautiful view to the south of the Tian Shan mountains.
The day after I arrived, Dan and I went hiking in the nearby Ala-Archa National Park. Some of the Tian Shan peaks from our city view are in this park. We went on this hike with Kanybek (Dan's translator), his wife Shaira, and their very cute daughter Aliya.
The weather was warm and beautiful, but the crispness of fall was definitely in the air. Some of the deciduous trees are just beginning to turn yellow and orange.
This outing and hike was a great way to quickly dispense with jet lag.
The next day, Sunday, Dan showed me what he knows of Bishkek. We walked most of the day and he took me to the sprawling Osh Bazaar that sells everything from food stuff to clothing to hardware and furniture.
After the bazaar and the many souvenir/art shops, we passed by the obligatory Lenin monument. Mr. Lenin used to be in the front of the State Historical Museum, but in 2003, he was summarily relocated to the rear of the museum. Ironically, the statue shows Lenin standing with his arm outstretched pointing to the "happy future." The red star flower bed in front of Lenin looks neglected.
I've been in Bishkek for a week now. Dan will be finished with his work here about September 27, and we're hoping to visit Uzbekistan for two weeks before we return to California. Yesterday, I stood in a line outside of the Uzbek Embassy hoping to submit our applications for Visas to visit Uzbekistan. After 1-1/2 hours, I found out that I need an appointment. Tomorrow I return to the line, but this time with an appointment. We're hoping that the Visa process won't be too lengthy as we are supposed to fly to Uzbekistan on October 1. Fingers crossed!
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