Postcard from Bishkek

I have mentioned in a previous postcards the phenomenon of #TTOT - Travel Talk on Twitter.

The organisers decide on a subject for the week and then on Tuesday, (at 9:30 GMT – am and pm, in order to cover all the world’s time zones), they pose a series of questions on that theme, inviting others to submit answers, and thus they hold an on-line conversation in real time.  Actually, in many ways it is more like “brainstorming” as the comments flood in, without comment but providing food for thought.

Well, this week, the theme was Mountains.

During the hour there are usually 5 questions, (selected from submitted suggestions by participants to the monitors), which are issued at 10 minute intervals.  The five questions this week were:

1. What do you think it is about the mountains that attracts travellers?
2. Where is the most interesting mountain town you have visited and why?
3. What 3 things need to go in the backpack when you go for a mountain trip?
4. What’s the most underrated mountain in the world?
5. What mountain ranges are on your bucket list?

Despite the fact that Kyrgyzstan is over 90% mountainous, has some of the world’s highest mountains with three of the worlds 7000 meter peaks, and straddles two of the world’s major mountain ranges, (the Pamir and Tien Shan), there were virtually no references to the country in the discussion as far as I could see in the almost 1000 tweets that I saw.

There was, however, one answer to question 2 which mentioned Khorog in neighbouring Tajikistan, and the Tien Shan featured in a couple of answers to question 5.  Question 4 produced a few attempts at humour: a reference to a “mountain” that was 300 feet high, (I was always taught that mountains were by definition at least 1000 feet tall, – just over 300 meters), and “A real underrated mountain is the one mad of mess in my bedroom. You wouldn’t believe it“.  The third question provided an interesting mix of responses ranging from the attempts to be amusing:

In some ways the treasure in the the discussion was in the multitude of answers given to the first question.

The obvious answer seems to be the landscape:

• I’ve always wondered! The views of the valleys, perhaps?
• Brings beauty & diversity to a flat landscape
• The views and lack of crowds
• it’s the isolated view that can only be seen when you work hard for it. Among many things
• The views, the air, the freedom and the vast empty spaces!
• The beautiful scenery, smell of the fresh air and the peacefulness that mountains everywhere exude are enough reasons to visit
• The (literally) breathtaking view from the top
• Definitely the view from the top, always worth the long hike
• Definitely the views from the top! It’s like a different world up there.
• The view is always worth the effort!
• For its breath taking view on the top and its the journey towards the top!
• What mountain gives us is nature’s art
• It’s so incredibly satisfying to slog for 8 hours in thin air when you get rewarded by spectacular views
• A landscape that isnt known to most folk
• Mountains offer unique, gorgeous and truly stunning views as travellers zip & zoom down the ski slopes
• The beautiful scenery, smell of the fresh air and the peacefulness
• It’s so incredibly satisfying to slog for 8 hours in thin air when you get rewarded by spectacular views
• The feeling of being completely surrounded by nature and the amazing views
• We like a challenge, we like great views, and we love the great outdoors

Then there was a more mystical approach:

• Mountains are a unique experience and people love observing their life from perspective In essence you travel within yourself
• You always wonder what you might be missing out on the other side.
• The beauty of something so much bigger than yourself
• Mystical, powerful, awe-inspiring aspect of nature & give us understanding of our own insignificance
• That’s why we star gaze. It really makes you appreciate how small we are in the universe. Little moving grains of sand!
• Sheer impressiveness, they put everything into perspective
• They’re impressive, humbling, yet you want to measure yourself against them
• Nature. Wilderness. Therapy
• They are huge but they are gentle
• There is a kind of serenity and calmness found nowhere else & the views are awesome
• The unknown. There is something quite primal about mountains that fascinate us and terrify us
• The sheer, unadulterated immensity of them. They put us humans in our place. And they’re beautiful
• You are grounded in the moment and reduced to your basic needs. There’s just you, the mountain trail, and the wilderness
• Mountain landscapes are inspiring, usually unspoiled regions, often small rustic villages where you can feel like life is simpler
• Getting high without the drugs
• The serene calmness of seclusion
• To enjoy nature, time out from business, to get away from it all and put things in perspective
• Looking at their majesty and feeling humbled and small
• They are mysterious. they rise into the clouds and beyond and humans have always been fascinated by the sky and what lies beyond
• There’s nothing like leaving all the stress and worry behind for a bit of stillness

A sense of activity and adventure:

• Mountains tend to represent a challenge of some sort so seem more adventurous then other places
• A great to climb, ski, abseil & paraglide from
• The excuse to lie down for a week afterwards moaning that your feet hurt and eating chocolate biscuits
• the freedom. and the achievement of having made the way up on your own feet. gondolas are for beginners
• You get to play with ropes and stuff ecause as strenuous as trekking is, it is quite relaxing. You don’t need to think about anything else. Just your next step up.
• Getting to your own limits…pushing it higher every time just a bit. the views. ice climbing was nice too
• Adventure, views and…mountain animals

And of “getting away from it all”

• The feeling of freedom
• Fresh air, lack of technology (b****y phones!) being made to feel small by the vastness of your surrounds, & of course the beauty
• Escape – from everything the internet (sat phone link excluded), footy results, etc. – and the giant views
• The challenge, the escape from daily life and the great skiing in winter

Then, of course the tradition answer … the challenge … “because they are there”:

• Mountains tend to represent a challenge of some sort so seem more adventurous then other places
• Mountains are a challenge whether hiking, climbing, or skiing them
• It’s definitely about the challenge too – you’re always wondering what it looks like from the top
• There’s something about a mountain that just says ‘I bet you can’t climb me’   grew up in kansas – so very flat!! so mountains always feel like something special, a kind of beautiful adventure

But I suppose the most comprehensive answer was the one that simply  said:

• The views, the activities, the landscape & the nature

Tags: Kyrgyzstan, Tourism