Postcard from Bishkek

In the Karakol city centre, on the corner of a crossroads, there is small, tranquil courtyard which sees a number of visitors descend upon it throughout the week. Many of these of tourists coming to see a remarkable building, probably one of the most photographed buildings in Kyrgyzstan – the Dungan Mosque. The Dungans are ethnic […]

Last year I wrote a postcard about Djety Oguz, a valley in the Issyk Kul region, not far from Karakol, which is popular with visitors and has come to be a symbol for the region within Kyrgyzstan. The valley is featured in all the guide books and so is well known amongst tourists, especially those who […]

Following last week’s “massive missive” … which could hardly have fitted onto an ordinary “postcard”, I had hoped that this week’s contribution will be shorter, reflecting a more peaceful, if less “interesting”, period. Perhaps that was wishful thinking.  Sorry.