Postcard from Bishkek

I was complaining to the kids the other day about how often they fail to give a straight forward answer to a direct question; something like :

Me: “Where are you going?”
Maxim: “Out”, or

Me: “who are you writing to on Facebook?”
Andy: “A friend”

I feel like saying “That tells me a lot – thanks a bunch”, but I think the sarcasm would be lost on them.

As it happens, there’s an old saying that goes something like “I’ve got things to do, places to go, people to see …”.  It is usually used when taking your leave of someone … as in: “Well, it’s been nice meeting you / seeing you / sitting and talking with you, but I have to go now – I have  … etc.“.

To be honest, I can’t find any details about it – for example, the exact order (for example, things-places-people or people-places-things) or where it comes from, but it is interesting because it contains a contradiction – although I have tried.  It is interesting because it implies both a busy and active schedule but it also has a vagueness … not specifying exactly what those things are, where those places are or who those people are.  Are those real activities, places and people or is it simply a “Gotta go!“.

(“Gotta go“, of course, has other connotations, but, perhaps it’s best not to go into that here and now.)

It seems to me that this phrase would make a great slogan for Kyrgyzstan … after all, we’ve got lots of things to do, places to go and people to see … something for just about everyone!

Things to do: For people who are interested in active holidays … well there’s plenty of scope – climbing, trekking, horse riding, rafting, cycling, diving, paragliding, skiing, … even hunting, (although, personally, I am not a hunter and have never really understood the lure – pun intended).    

For the more culturally minded  - and one of the latest trends n tourism is Creative Tourism, (an interactive form of tourism where the traveler undertakes some learning activities such as learning a new craft, or participates in the creation of something such as staging a concert), there is the chance to experience aspects of the traditional nomadic culture, living in a yurt – even erecting or dismantling one of these circular, centuries old design of “frame tents”; seeing national sports and games, like the classic Kok Buro and the children’s games like Upai; practice the ancient crafts of making felt carpets, (shyrdaks and ala kyiyz), listen to traditional music, or attend a concert of classical music, go to the opera or ballet … or theater, or visit the puppet theater of the cinema (but performances will be in either Kyrgyz or Russian) … even go to a nightclub and sample the local Jazz, Pop, Rap or Rock scene.

… or simply relax sitting in one of Bishkek’s ever popular Coffee shops and “watching the world pass  by” …

… and for those who are interested in a traditional holiday experience, relaxing on a beach soaking up the rays of the sun, we have Issyk Kul.

Places to go:  One of the advantages of being a small country is that most places are relatively close together.  Of course, there are the mountains, with rugged landscapes ranging from craggy snow capped peaks to rolling hills; ancient forests of walnut trees, fir lined slopes and modern orchards; fast flowing rivers snaking their way through narrow gorges and later in their course more sedately progressing along wide valleys ; serene and peaceful lakes and reservoirs, including a salt lake in which even the non-swimmer won’t sink to the bottom;  … not to mention lively bustling cities and markets, monuments and museums, … as well as the small, quiet calm of villages and rural towns … .

As one blogger put it when describing the landscapes, both natural and man made, “around almost every corner there is yet  another ‘photo opportunity’”.       

For those with an interest in history, although the land is not exactly littered with ruins and  historic buildings, there are some … and we have just heard that three of them – the sites of the three Silk Road cities, Nevkat - basically, all that remains are the mound on which the city was built … and archaeological excavations, Suyab – basically  all that remains are the archaeological excavations, and Balasugin – home of the Burana Tower –  are being considered for inclusion in the UNESCO list of Cultural Heritage sites.

These three are classic examples of how, for those with the inclination and imagination, there are plenty of reminders of ancient – and not so ancient – worlds so that, as another traveler put it, the visitor can feel that they “have stepped back in time to a previous age and can get a feel of what life might have been like in a world without all the trappings of modern technology”.

People to see:  You may not run into famous people with “household names”, (although that is always possible – including the President and Ministers …), but Kyrgyzstan is full of interesting people … from children to aksakals (literally “white beards” – the name given to the respected elders who serve as unofficial community leaders); performers like the folklore ensembles, dance troops, performers in the various orchestras, or the National Ballet and Opera companies – not forgetting the lively youthful pop stars of modern culture and jazz musicians…  and, of course, the manaschi reciting excerpt from the ancient epic saga which was recently adopted into UNESCO list of the world’s intangible cultural heritage;

 

Well, it’s time to stop … it’s been nice sharing some thoughts with you – but I have things to do, places to go, people to see … Ciao!

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