Postcard from Bishkek

Today is one of those funny little holidays that originated in the United States – although the idea seems to be catching on and I see from a Russian site that it is now considered to be an International day – Hug Day, (National Hugging Day or International Hugging Day). It’s a totally artificial, secular […]

When it mes to learning Kyrgyz, I have an interesting little problem.  Because I don’t take proper lessons and only dip n and out of exercises every now and again, my knowledge of Kyrgyz vocabulary and grammar is very haphazard. As a result, I am not really surprised when I come across a word that […]

The other day I came across an article on a travel website about “Food Etiquette From Around the World“. It appeared to be a “filler” article … one where the editor has a space and needs something to fill it and so turns to one of his (her) staff and asks for 500 words on […]

One day, a few days ago, I went out shopping … and on my way back to the office I saw a sight that had me, (metaphorically at least), kicking myself.  How many times have I said to the kids: “take a camera with you … you never know when you might see something you […]

Over the years I have often been asked about cultural differences that I have noticed between life in Britain and here in Kyrgyzstan.  It is one of a bank of questions that people ask: How long have I been here?, What brought me here in the first place?, What kept me here? – Why did […]

A few years ago a client gave me an anthology of writings on the subject of Food.  Although I don’t think I would have picked it up in a bookshop back in the UK, it proved to be quite an interesting read with a variety of stories and anecdotes: buying a goat in Africa, meeting […]

A short while ago I saw a photograph posted by one of my “friends” on Facebook … it was of a meal his wife had prepared for him: a piece of chicken in sauce, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and grechka. My first reaction was “ugggh!”.  As a child I had hated broccoli and cauliflower and I […]

I am often asked what I plan to do over the holidays … Back in the UK, of course, the big holiday of the year is Christmas but here it is New Year.  As a result, whereas back home I might have been asked,  ”What are you doing for Christmas?” or “How will you spend […]

Welcome to the first day of Spring.  Here, March 1st is reckoned to be the first day of Spring.  If that surprises or confuses you, then, don’t worry … you are not alone! For a start, it’s all relative.  If you happen to be in the Southern Hemisphere, then Summer is coming to an end, […]

In recent times the question of ethnic rivalries and disputes has reappeared in Kyrgyzstan.