Day1: arrived in Bishkek at
5:35 am after 30+ hours of travel. The program director of International
Affairs picked up me and an international student from Somalia. We stopped for
breakfast of lentil soup and kebabs before being dropped of at my flat to rest.
Banks were closed, but I was assured most places take credit
cards. So far it is my experience that FEW places take credit cards. I tried to
get some water and food at the market across from my flat.
It was interesting as I speak no Kyrgyz or Russian and no one speaks English.
With gestures, I determined they don't accept credit cards, and with Google
translate I determined all banks were closed. Fortunately, I had packed some
Ramen and granola bars as I anticipated some challenges adjusting.
There is no Wi-Fi
or TV in the apartment, so I rested and enjoyed the quiet. I am grateful my
husband helped me set-up a passport plan on my phone, or I would be completely
isolated. At around 9 in the evening, I heard loud music for about 10
minutes and then chanting. A military group marched down the street in front of
my flat and congregated in the open area across from me. I’ve heard protests
are common in Kyrgyz Republic and Americans should avoid them, but this doesn’t
look like that. Some of the men were hanging out with well-dressed people
afterward and I saw kisses good-bye from a woman who might be a mother. I took
some video and a photo, but they are terrible quality because it was dark.
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