Do you know anything about Kyrgyzstan?

© Marat Danilov, Photographer

I participated in an international forum last month. I met many people and made a lot of friends. But many of them have not heard about my country. So I was hurt… No, I’m just kidding here. Just it was not pleasant. Even someone asked me, whether Kyrgyzstan is a country of Mongolia. I only remember that moment I was hurt. A hidden voice was asking: “How can you not know about Kyrgyzstan?” This is an amazing country in Central Asia.  So tell all about Kyrgyzstan! Let’s know all in detail.

Kyrgyzstan – the country of celestial mountains and edelweiss. Yes… That defines our country because we have wonderful mountains.  If we return to the subject of geography, we can learn about all of the mountains by further statistics.

About 90% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan lies above 1,500 meters above sea level. One-third is over 3000 meters. The average height is 2750 meters, which is more than the maximum height of the Carpathians, the Urals, the Crimean Mountains, Hibin. The highest point is 7,439 meters (the peak of the Victory), the lowest -. Pobeda Peak, Lenin Peak (7134 m) and Khan Tengri (6995m), inferior in height only to the peak of Communism in the Pamirs – 539 m three highest peaks of Central Asia are in Kyrgyzstan. Total in Kyrgyzstan are 14 peaks over 6,000 meters and 26 peaks higher than Mont Blanc (4807m), the highest point in Europe.

© Marat Danilov, Photographer

Many of foreigners really love these mountains because they can still meet the nomadic lifestyle. Even wrote that we will soon be a boom. But do not panic! The boom in a good way. There is a boom in tourism. The Telegraph writes about it in a popular edition under the headline of “The surprising destinations where tourism is booming” on 21 April 2016. They write that tourism will be booming in 10 countries in the next few years and Kyrgyzstan takes the first place. I also would like to add something about Kyrgyzstan:

“Kyrgyzstan. Why go? Adventurous horseback riders have long favored this rugged country, partly because only riders can really access the fertile valleys and mountain passes. Rural Kyrgyzstan also allows visitors to meet nomadic families, who take to the high ground every summer. In the Saddle, they organize group trips. Kyrgyzstan is opening up to community tourism – homestays and “yurt” stays can be organized through. High-altitude Lake Song-Köl offers to stargaze while camping in a yurt”

I hope that I can write a separate article about Song-Köl to define this beauty of nature. This is a fabulous place, have even called paradise on earth. This is the place where you can meet with the universe. You, yurt and billion stars in the sky. All of the details will appear on another piece.

© Marat Danilov, Photographer

By the way, I almost forgot about the edelweiss. This flower grows in our harsh but very beautiful mountains. Mountain edelweiss, the flower of love, beauty, and freedom. The name of edelweiss is derived from the Greek words “leon” – lion, and “podion” – stop. Indeed, together with fluffy inflorescence bracts are similar to the lion’s paw. Writer Konstantin Paustovsky called this flower a small star.  “Wrapped up with white moss to stay warm at the touch of ice”.

And now let me tell you about our capital. Its name is Bishkek. It is a special administrative unit and is a city of republican subordination. There are several versions of the name in near history. But the most important one of them is named after the legendary hero of the Bishkek-Batyr, who lived in the area in the XVIII. century. And before that, it was also called as Pishpek and Frunze.

Now Bishkek is a very dynamic city. It is developing quickly. As in many cities, museums, theaters, and the big stores are available here.

© Marat Danilov, Photographer

Let me tell you about our strangeness but in a good way… For example, we have our own Paris. Yes, this is similar to Paris. Nothing seems strange here. This place is located in the mountains on the road of Bishkek-Talas and Bishkek-Osh. It’s a small location and there are some café shops where it is possible for a small amount of money can be the delicious and satisfying meal. Over 400 som (Kyrgyz currency) you can afford “kuurdak” with tea and bread. It costs around $6. This is the most expensive dish here. Kuurdak is a type of Kyrgyz nomad dish. This grilled meat- cooked in a special way, at the stake. Sometimes it is served with potatoes and onions.

Many foreigners think that there is Eiffel Tower here. But unfortunately, there is not. But I want to suggest this idea to a cafe owner. By the way, why are we calling here as Paris? There everything is simple. At night when you go to the mountains, you cannot see anything without their lights. Do not worry; lights are only from light bulbs. Alien beings do not fly so often to us. So it is from the light from the bulb. And then it was called Paris. As you see, the mountains, the road, and the light—they are the general view of Paris!

© Marat Danilov, Photographer

I can else tell you about our national drink “kymyz”, «Elixir of youth»- called this drink. I hope there will be not impudence if I say that Kyrgyzstan is the homeland of “kymyz”. “Kymyz” from mare’s milk is one of the most popular and at the same time the most esteemed Kyrgyz drinks. If it is a hot summer day, some traveler wanders into a village-Kyrgyz shepherd, the first thing to welcome by served a large bowl of “kymyz”. By the way, we do not only drink “kymyz”, we treat them. We have a «kymyz treatment».

Now, to anchor my text, I will give you the conclusion of physicians: «Due to the fact that the mare’s milk contains a complex of vitamins, so necessary for man mare is a real fount of health. Just think: in mare milk has a composition of phosphorus, calcium, zinc, various minerals, protein, fat, milk sugar, lactose, casein, vitamins A, B, C and others. Moreover, as a result of fermentation koumiss available nutrients from fat and protein, ending with milk sugar are converted into a product which is very easy and almost completely absorbed by the human body».

If you want to know more about a «kymyz treatment», please let me know dear readers. I can share great and efficient materials. I’m serious about this good topic!

© Marat Danilov, Photographer

Now, about our pearl–Isik-Kol! It is our pride. Isik-Kol – the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, endorheic, included in the 25 largest lakes in the world and takes the sixth place in the list of the deepest lakes. If we translate the name, the meaning is “Hot Lake” because the temperature of the water is not reduced until late autumn. And the lake does not freeze in winter. Foreigners often called the «Pearl of Kyrgyzstan».

To feel the beauty and grace of the Issyk-Kul, you should come to Kyrgyzstan. Yes, it is such an intrigue!

By the way, if you want to visit Kyrgyzstan, firstly, do not hesitate, please. This land has peaceful and friendly people. Many of them are law-abiding.

I was forgetting to say, I also should warn you to bargain with the taxi drivers at the airport «Manas».

Reporter: Akmaral SABATAR – Kyrgyzstan