valerie

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: December 14, 2024 - getting warmed up

: December 13, 2024 - same window from last year that only has a single pane and ices over on the …

: December 12, 2024 - a peek of yesterday morning’s taxi. I was sitting in the back seat. I …

: December 11, 2024 - Japanese tea ceremony demonstration by JICA volunteers 🙂

: December 10, 2024 - the poop shed behind our outhouse

: December 9, 2024 - picture from last week at moonrise

: December 8, 2024 - farming machine in someone’s yard with “Kyrgyzstan” written on …

: December 7, 2024 - English poster for sale outside of a school supplies store. U for Umbrella, V for …

: December 6, 2024 - tired and sick again, so here’s a picture from last month

: December 5, 2024 - today, 8:00 am. No Daylight Savings Time here

: December 4, 2024 - my host sister decorated her room for winter 😁

: December 3, 2024 - comparing to yesterday’s picture…the village canal in mid-November …

: December 2, 2024 - the village canal is frozen now and filled with large chunks of ice. I passed by …

: December 1, 2024 - Mr. Cow died earlier this fall, and I was upset about it. For a while, every time …

: November 30, 2024 - yesterday’s sunrise was beautiful, but unfortunately couldn’t get to …

: November 29, 2024 - yesterday’s Kyrgyz/American Thanksgiving dinner with the English teachers …

: November 28, 2024 - My students made turkeys for Thanksgiving and wrote things they are thankful for …

: November 27, 2024 - new classroom activity that another volunteer (JICA) gave a demonstration of …

: November 26, 2024 - another picture from the first snowfall earlier this month

: November 25, 2024 - our director invited us to his house for an early Thanksgiving dinner on …

: November 24, 2024 - there’s already a New Year’s tree up by a shopping mall in Bishkek

: November 23, 2024 - mountains behind my school. took this picture on Nov 14, the day after the snow …

: November 22, 2024 - my host family gave me a bowl of these huge seedless grapes to eat. No idea …

: November 21, 2024 - moonrise about a week ago

: November 20, 2024 - bought a pack of cards with fruits/berries and the Kyrgyz, Russian, and English …

: November 19, 2024 - cow

: November 18, 2024 - orange flavored M&M’s. Do you have this in your country? 🤔 They were …

: November 17, 2024 - small central park in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: November 16, 2024 - there was a fall celebration at my school yesterday in which girls showed off …

: November 15, 2024 - the last of this year’s apples again: part two, snow edition

: November 14, 2024 - took so many pictures today. I’ve never seen this much snow in my village. …

: November 13, 2024 - wooo! The first snow of this dry pocket of Kyrgyzstan!!

: November 12, 2024 - this morning’s sunrise (sadly with power lines in the way)

: November 11, 2024 - in front of a neighbor’s house. The last of this year’s apples

: November 10, 2024 - plane in the sky above the mountains

: November 9, 2024 - canal in my village on a windy day (yesterday)

: November 8, 2024 - fall colors in Bishkek

: November 7, 2024 - Missing cat poster in Bishkek. “He has a name, but he only responds to …

: November 6, 2024 - balcony cat

: November 5, 2024 - We bought and played Shifting Stones (this is the English name) for my …

: November 4, 2024 - bowling for my boyfriend’s birthday! We went early to beat the crowd

: November 3, 2024 - knock-off Kumamon display (or costume?) in a knock-off Miniso store called Usupso

: November 2, 2024 - renovated circus building in Bishkek

: November 1, 2024 - continuing on the trend of Halloween gifts, I got this ring and note today, …

: October 31, 2024 - 1st Halloween gift ever 😊 it was much appreciated as I feel like I’m …

: October 30, 2024 - trading teaching English ideas at a seminar like they are hot collector items 🙂 …

: October 29, 2024 - seen on a walk in my village. Honestly no idea what it is or what it is for

: October 28, 2024 - stairwell in a building of shops (and a banana peel above the doorway of a shop) …

: October 27, 2024 - cheese sauce for chips in Kochkor …the wateriness of it threw me off, and …

: October 26, 2024 - going to my regional center in my taxi, sitting in the backseat. My taxi driver …

: October 25, 2024 - best dry erase markers I know of in Kyrgyzstan, but can’t get them in my …

: October 24, 2024 - found this on the back of a paper that a group of students used to draw a map of …

: October 23, 2024 - on the hike to Song-Kul, in early August. By the time we made it to the lake …

: October 22, 2024 - hammer and sickle street decoration Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: October 21, 2024 - about sunset time yesterday with a plane in the sky. I usually check them on …

: October 20, 2024 - just some of the potatoes my family has picked this year

: October 19, 2024 - hello, I am dog!! food??? Food for me please?? Me hungry 😦

: October 18, 2024 - Sonic cartoon in Russian on TV

: October 17, 2024 - coteachers and I hosted a training yesterday for homeroom teachers and directors …

: October 16, 2024 - went to another school this morning to give a training with another volunteer. …

: October 15, 2024 - my host grandma literally put these fruit in a bag and told me, “take them …

: October 14, 2024 - a volunteer has found a Eurasian forest dormouse in her outhouse. Meanwhile, I …

: October 13, 2024 - cool clouds from yesterday

: October 12, 2024 - just some cookie things that I really liked. I think I bought them at Fix Price …

: October 11, 2024 - instructions and questions in Kyrgyz for a training that my coteachers and I will …

: October 10, 2024 - host family has turned my bike into a clothes rack since there’s a flat …

: October 9, 2024 - small legal representation office in Kochkor. Wonder if anyone actually works here

: October 8, 2024 - birds on the roof above my window

: October 7, 2024 - yesterday’s sunrise in the neighborhood. Sadly, it was gray and cloudy for …

: October 6, 2024 - coal trailer. Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: October 5, 2024 - one of the few things I got during yesterday’s Teachers’ Day …

: October 4, 2024 - small sports center in my village. Never been inside (actually, I didn’t …

: October 3, 2024 - We did a review of clothes in today’s English club (since the last three …

: October 2, 2024 - my friend Mr. Cow (Zoya’s older brother)

: October 1, 2024 - you know it’s fall when snow has fallen on the mountains

: September 30, 2024 - my host brother brought home these huge, monster strawberries, courtesy of his …

: September 29, 2024 - went into the storage room where I keep my bike to find this… luckily, …

: September 28, 2024 - next to the river I recently discovered in my village

: September 27, 2024 - some fun guys in my village

: September 26, 2024 - Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan. Funny that “St. Petersburg” (Санкт-Петербург) …

: September 25, 2024 - hotel view in Bishkek

: September 24, 2024 - relatively new restaurant in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: September 23, 2024 - my host dad breaking up large pieces of salt for the horses

: September 22, 2024 - my favorite domestic animal is the scapegoat. It’s always good to have …

: September 21, 2024 - a mosque in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: September 20, 2024 - one of my coteachers has a black and white notebook that she uses for writing …

: September 19, 2024 - Last year I didn’t see a single bike at school, so I can’t help but …

: September 18, 2024 - don’t you love when people leave their bags of trash on the side of road? …

: September 17, 2024 - this past Sunday went on a bike ride and discovered a WHOLE RIVER that no one …

: September 16, 2024 - went to the Kochkor movie theater yesterday with my host family. I don’t …

: September 15, 2024 - yesterday, behind Ormon Khan Park, Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: September 14, 2024 - the horses are home! Here is one handsome horse that was separate from the …

: September 13, 2024 - random TV appeared in my classroom yesterday 😶 turns out it’s the IT …

: September 12, 2024 - the mountains are becoming more snowy

: September 11, 2024 - I climbed this ladder to where my host family keeps the hay, not all the way, …

: September 10, 2024 - I like this lettuce tower thing in my host family’s garden

: September 9, 2024 - host family bought a new electric kettle! Our old one broke 1-2 weeks ago, so …

: September 8, 2024 - rode my bike to this monument this morning. I could have sworn that it used to …

: September 7, 2024 - (agriculture work?) vehicle in the Independence Day parade in Kochkor which …

: September 6, 2024 - 6 am

: September 5, 2024 - when I came to school on Knowledge Day (September 1st), all these textbooks were …

: September 4, 2024 - one of many quotes on the wall at school encouraging students to study well this …

: September 3, 2024 - First Bell Ceremony at school yesterday. Officially the start of the school …

: September 2, 2024 - yesterday’s sunrise, before the sun peeked over the mountains

: September 1, 2024 - part of a parade in Kochkor yesterday for Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day …

: August 31, 2024 - neighboring volunteer’s secondary project (student center) opening ceremony. …

: August 30, 2024 - wedding last night. Very long. I think Kyrgyz weddings would be nicer if I could …

: August 29, 2024 - finally dragged myself out of bed today for another morning walk/jog. …

: August 28, 2024 - sign at another volunteer’s school that says “Sports ground” in …

: August 27, 2024 - neighbor’s apple tree and my host family’s house. (You can see the …

: August 26, 2024 - recently painted gym floor at my school. Even though the entire school is …

: August 25, 2024 - sign of guests at your house (the future bride of a man living across the street …

: August 24, 2024 - this is the place where I usually go to pet Mr. Cow, but it’s temporarily …

: August 23, 2024 - my bike! The people who read this blog and actually know me IRL (only a few?) are …

: August 22, 2024 - picture of the yurt we stayed in at Song-Kul. I had only stayed in yurt once …

: August 21, 2024 - I only know about Dr. Rabbit thanks to the meme side of the Internet, and I had …

: August 20, 2024 - group of people who were playing games on the street. The street is being redone, …

: August 19, 2024 - I wanted to make guacamole, but knew it wouldn’t be special without a good …

: August 18, 2024 - purchased from a store in Bishkek with Chinese snacks. Even though okra is …

: August 17, 2024 - sunrise at Lake Song Kul

: August 16, 2024 - a student invited me to eat lunch at her house yesterday. her mom was very chatty …

: August 15, 2024 - memorial to a hero named Olzhobolot uulu Andash (Andash, son of Olzhobolot) at …

: August 14, 2024 - honey with sea buckthorn that I bought in Issyk-Kul 🙂 there’s a lot of wild …

: August 13, 2024 - yaks near Lake Song Kul!

: August 12, 2024 - yurt camp at Lake Song-Kul

: August 11, 2024 - the highest point on our hike to Lake Song-Kul at 3400 meters / 11,150 feet. We …

: August 10, 2024 - Lake Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

: August 9, 2024 - small gathering area near a local government building in Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan

: August 8, 2024 - Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan

: August 7, 2024 - school in Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan

: August 6, 2024 - Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan

: August 5, 2024 - the inside toilets at my school are finished and they look really nice! …

: August 4, 2024 - saw this bird on my walk yesterday. I was able to get pretty close to it, which …

: August 3, 2024 - Went to school for a club. Passed some teachers outside the front of the school …

: August 2, 2024 - looks like my school already bought coal for winter 😳 feels ironic because …

: August 1, 2024 - returned to my host family’s house yesterday afternoon. My mom and sister …

: July 31, 2024 - drawing on a fence at President Park in Cholpon Ata

: July 30, 2024 - hot spring pools in Cholpon Ata. Each pool had a slightly different temperature, …

: July 29, 2024 - stopped during a driving excursion in the mountains near Cholpon Ata

: July 28, 2024 - Lake Issyk-Kul. Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan

: July 27, 2024 - back of the guesthouse hotel where I am staying for the next few days! Cholpon Ata, …

: July 26, 2024 - felt rugs drying on the fence outside of my school

: July 25, 2024 - day trip to Lake Issyk-Kul with my host family yesterday. Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan

: July 24, 2024 - helped my family make manti the other day by putting the formed manti into the …

: July 23, 2024 - sprinkler in the small garden in front of my host family’s house. They water …

: July 22, 2024 - it’s jam preparation season! Here is cherry jam sitting to cool

: July 21, 2024 - if your name is Tom, know that you are loved by someone in Kyrgyzstan (but not me …

: July 20, 2024 - when I went hiking about a week ago with friends who came to visit, we found this …

: July 19, 2024 - sports field in my village. I came here yesterday because it’s one of the only …

: July 18, 2024 - a container with sand (and trash) at my school to put out fires. Does anyone have …

: July 17, 2024 - (unripe) sea buckthorn. It grows in the mountains around here. Hopefully they are …

: July 16, 2024 - walking up to the entrance of an old salt mine. Chong Tuz, Kyrgyzstan

: July 15, 2024 - yesterday’s hike

: July 14, 2024 - stadium at Ormon Khan Park. The park and stadium opened last year, and I’m …

: July 13, 2024 - yesterday’s picnic lunch. I went with my host mom, sister and cousin to pick …

: July 12, 2024 - with such dry winters, it’s been really surprising to see how much it rains …

: July 11, 2024 - a magpie at my window a couple days ago

: July 10, 2024 - finally went on a run yesterday morning for the first time in almost 2 months

: July 9, 2024 - yesterday’s hay delivery

: July 8, 2024 - lots of pigeons on our roof yesterday morning

: July 7, 2024 - road to the mountains. taken on a walk yesterday

: July 6, 2024 - my boyfriend only wanted one souvenir from Uzbekistan - a plate. We bought one at …

: July 5, 2024 - met a friend yesterday. It took him a few minutes to understand the concept of cat …

: July 4, 2024 - when the marshrutka (van/minibus transportation available in Kyrgyzstan) breaks down …

: July 3, 2024 - Chorsu Bazaar. Tashkent, Uzbekistan

: July 2, 2024 - making our way back to Kyrgyzstan. got on the train yesterday evening from Urgench to …

: July 1, 2024 - bride receives gifts (scarves, money, household necessities) during a part of the …

: June 30, 2024 - only a brief part of the few day-long Uzbek wedding I’ve been witnessing. at a …

: June 29, 2024 - Kalta Minor Minaret. Khiva, Uzbekistan

: June 28, 2024 - Ark of Bukhara. Bukhara, Uzbekistan

: June 27, 2024 - where we spent last night, an overnight train from Tashkent to Bukhara. hot when we …

: June 26, 2024 - after a car drove by on a gravel road near my village

: June 25, 2024 - isn’t it so satisfying when you have all of your chickens in a row? …

: June 24, 2024 - canal in my village

: June 23, 2024 - went on a walk to a hill/small mountain last week and narrowly escaped rain. …

: June 22, 2024 - our calf Zoya left with her mom yesterday to go to a summer pasture (jailoo). My …

: June 21, 2024 - went to a toi (party) yesterday, a түшөө toi, which people celebrate when a child …

: June 20, 2024 - went on a walk outside of my village yesterday 😊

: June 19, 2024 - progress on the new outdoor toilet. it’s deeper than the old one, which is …

: June 18, 2024 - flowers in front of my school yesterday. went to school but it was a holiday, so the …

: June 17, 2024 - double rainbow in my village yesterday evening. I took a picture when there was more …

: June 16, 2024 - yesterday helped the women in my host family prepare boorsok and set the table for …

: June 15, 2024 - back wall of a neighbor’s stable. My sister and I were playing with a flying …

: June 14, 2024 - Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: June 13, 2024 - it’s so nice to be back in my village after burning in Istanbul and Bishkek. …

: June 12, 2024 - Dolmabahçe Palace area entrance. The palace was built in the 1800s. Staff was very …

: June 11, 2024 - Grand Bazaar entrance, Istanbul, Turkey. (I’m back in my village now, just …

: June 10, 2024 - a bug I saw on the street in Bishkek. it appears to be some kind of beetle?

: June 9, 2024 - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

: June 8, 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey

: June 7, 2024 - St. Anthony of Padua Church. Istanbul, Turkey

: June 6, 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey

: June 5, 2024 - inside Topkapi Palace, Turkey

: June 4, 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey

: June 3, 2024 - in Istanbul, Turkey

: June 2, 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey. I’m pretty sure this is what Kyrgyz people say when riding …

: June 1, 2024 - a friend I met yesterday

: May 31, 2024 - spring, almost summer, in my village 🙂

: May 30, 2024 - canal in my village at morning

: May 29, 2024 - we had a visitor yesterday 😁

: May 28, 2024 - my host sister pointing at an orange and blue volleyball that we accidentally got …

: May 27, 2024 - yum 😋 🌿

: May 26, 2024 - potato field behind our house. my host mom said they finished this work while I was …

: May 25, 2024 - today was my school’s Last Bell ceremony (акыркы коңгуроо in Kyrgyz; последний …

: May 24, 2024 - my host mom told me before that these are bottles of medicine which some men buy to …

: May 23, 2024 - spicy sauce that our family bought. I’m surprised to see my host brother and …

: May 22, 2024 - second-floor school stairwell. чыгуу is “exit” in Kyrgyz and this word …

: May 21, 2024 - homemade kattama! The dough is formed into a long roll that is rolled around itself …

: May 20, 2024 - fragrant flowers

: May 19, 2024 - sunrise on a recent morning walk

: May 18, 2024 - mosque on the other side of my village

: May 17, 2024 - today’s morning walk companions. I don’t think the cat belonged to …

: May 16, 2024 - along the road where I usually walk or run in the morning. first time going out in …

: May 15, 2024 - from the day I went hiking earlier this month, though as you can see we stayed at the …

: May 14, 2024 - tractor on my street in the morning about a week and a half ago

: May 13, 2024 - жапжаңы, “supa fresh” in Kyrgyz. (Literally “brand new”, but …

: May 12, 2024 - I’m not a hat person, but oh my god, sunny, 20°C/68°F+ weather at 1,900 m/6233 …

: May 11, 2024 - a few days ago, my grandma made чөбөгө, a kind of spread made from butter

: May 10, 2024 - recent morning run 😊

: May 9, 2024 - the lilacs are in bloom, and some students have been bringing bunches of it to school. …

: May 8, 2024 - made it to a new and further landmark on my morning run. To be honest, I don’t …

: May 7, 2024 - find the car!

: May 6, 2024 - separator that my host mom uses to separate the fat from milk. The milk on the left …

: May 5, 2024 - when we went guesting to a family friend’s house a few days ago, the mother made …

: May 4, 2024 - yesterday evening worked with my host family in one of their fields, collecting dead …

: May 3, 2024 - my host sister’s birthday was actually yesterday, but we didn’t get to …

: May 2, 2024 - my phone was unputdownable today as I had an opportunity to climb some small hills and …

: May 1, 2024 - left the bubble of my village boundaries and went on a walk towards a big …

: April 30, 2024 - should have taken a hint from the fact that it seems to say “guacamole WITH …

: April 29, 2024 - was on a bridge over this canal with my host sister and her friend. The friend was …

: April 28, 2024 - road back to my community/village during a recent morning walk

: April 27, 2024 - we had a surprise emergency consolidation drill yesterday in which all volunteers …

: April 26, 2024 - host family friend’s critter that I saw last weekend at their house. and they …

: April 25, 2024 - this is Zoya. I asked why Zoya, and my host mom said, “because it is short …

: April 24, 2024 - today’s morning light as seen from a street in my village

: April 23, 2024 - I love this picture, so I’m posting it for dreamy. house of my host …

: April 22, 2024 - blossoms and a bee against a blue sky

: April 21, 2024 - It’s hard to pick one picture for mountain since I live around them and take …

: April 20, 2024 - small ice skating rink in Almaty in early January

: April 19, 2024 - when in Bishkek, I bought a ping pong set for my host sister’s birthday …

: April 18, 2024 - was in a bit of a bad mood when I returned to school yesterday after only being out …

: April 17, 2024 - transcendence - my host mom’s cooking. she made these things for Ait. I …

: April 16, 2024 - my best attempt at a non-human flâneur

: April 15, 2024 - small creature eating a small nut

: April 14, 2024 - cactus made by my best friend ❤️ I’ve seen cacti as houseplants here, but …

: April 13, 2024 - a page from a book called Developing Writing: Writing Skills Practice Book for EFL, …

: April 12, 2024 - this is a laminator sheet. problem is, there is no laminator at my school (and …

: April 11, 2024 - moody blue/gray sky picture from about a week ago

: April 10, 2024 - wasn’t sure what I would do for ‘train’, but then we happened to …

: April 9, 2024 - a handsome neighbor whose friends might be good crispy 😶

: April 8, 2024 - sign of prevention in the banya. from what I understand, it means that you …

: April 7, 2024 - people running a race in the park yesterday for World Health Day, which is today (is …

: April 6, 2024 - the weather yesterday afternoon was wild. first it was super windy and looked like …

: April 5, 2024 - serene - the calm after the storm

: April 4, 2024 - I just really wanted to post this picture, okay?! sorry that I currently live at a …

: April 3, 2024 - behind on my own prompt 😂 a page from the basically national Kyrgyz 5th grade …

: April 2, 2024 - flowers in the hallway at my school

: April 1, 2024 - toy. can’t remember if I posted this guy before. He’s technically an …

: March 31, 2024 - I helped the librarian fix her computer again. she asked, “what do you like? …

: March 30, 2024 - approached this ATM which was displaying this screen. it was not clear how much …

: March 29, 2024 - a lamb that was born before spring break. you can see the fresh paint on its head …

: March 28, 2024 - my ticket (is that what we call this kind of paper? I don’t remember..) from …

: March 27, 2024 - went out for brunch. this was after we had eaten the 2 tacos we ordered in addition …

: March 26, 2024 - the moon looked quite orange/red last night

: March 25, 2024 - today’s breakfast: блины (Russian pancakes) with сүмөлөк (pudding-like …

: March 24, 2024 - birds for sale in a pet store

: March 23, 2024 - remnants of the Nooruz celebration at Bishkek’s main square, Ala-Too Square

: March 22, 2024 - nature photo before I go to Bishkek for a few days. yesterday at sunset

: March 21, 2024 - thought this design on my tissue was a nice, cute touch. then I proceeded to …

: March 20, 2024 - school gym decorated for Nooruz. this was before student performances started

: March 19, 2024 - my host family got a new vacuum cleaner! I think I’ve never been so excited …

: March 18, 2024 - made a friend this past weekend

: March 17, 2024 - made sushi with another volunteer and JICA volunteers last night

: March 16, 2024 - garden/small park in the next village over where another volunteer lives

: March 15, 2024 - was not expecting to wake up to snow this morning

: March 14, 2024 - preschool in my village during the first weekend of the month when we had snow

: March 13, 2024 - it was cloudy and we got a tiny bit of snow today, and I thought the mountain view …

: March 12, 2024 - Ramadan calendar in Kyrgyz for the largest town in our region

: March 11, 2024 - classroom was in disarray because apparently new lights were installed in all …

: March 10, 2024 - flowers from my Kyrgyz teacher on International Women’s Day

: March 9, 2024 - I, uh, may have walked to the next volunteer’s village without telling my fam, …

: March 8, 2024 - Happy International Women’s Day! We have no school today, but here’s a …

: March 7, 2024 - International Women’s Day celebration since there is no school tomorrow. …

: March 6, 2024 - periodic table board in Kyrgyz which is sitting in the teacher’s room for some …

: March 5, 2024 - horses chilling in the dried-up canal in my village during my walk on Sunday

: March 4, 2024 - when even the rest of your family has no idea what is on their dinner plates, you …

: March 3, 2024 - back in my village and it snowed while I was gone. this is the most snow I’ve …

: March 2, 2024 - cafe in Bishkek

: March 1, 2024 - I feel like this is either the first or one of only a few times I’ve seen any …

: February 29, 2024 - KFC Kyrgyzstan has chosen an unfortunate product name, according to my American …

: February 28, 2024 - small cafe in Bishkek with good khachapuri. I took a picture of the cafe while …

: February 27, 2024 - sunrise

: February 26, 2024 - the neighbor’s horse, which has an interesting black and white mane

: February 25, 2024 - a few weeks ago, I asked my sister what happened to the nozzle of the vacuum, …

: February 24, 2024 - old chemistry equipment at my school

: February 23, 2024 - today’s a holiday, so I stayed home for most of the day and finally got a …

: February 22, 2024 - saw this delightful bird picture in a book about Arslanbob that I read with my …

: February 21, 2024 - today is Mother Language Day, and this classroom had some quotes in Kyrgyz about …

: February 20, 2024 - fear me, I am dinosaur 🦖

: February 19, 2024 - I got to watch an open lesson today, and I took this picture as a reference for …

: February 18, 2024 - Valentine’s Day gift (there were 3 but now there are 0)

: February 17, 2024 - it FINALLY snowed in my village and region today! not a lot, but it was still …

: February 16, 2024 - this week was English week at school around Kyrgyzstan, so there were a lot of …

: February 15, 2024 - in the informatics lab in my school. I think the wall decoration is cute. …

: February 14, 2024 - my host mom made her own холодец (holodets) last night, and I walked into the …

: February 13, 2024 - closest mosque to my house. I often hear the call to prayer, especially in the …

: February 12, 2024 - met with a friend yesterday

: February 11, 2024 - cemetery closer to my host family’s house and mountains in the distance

: February 10, 2024 - another volunteer and I hosted a community English club at his school this …

: February 9, 2024 - today’s sunset

: February 8, 2024 - reading more Kyrgyz children’s books with my Kyrgyz teacher. took a picture …

: February 7, 2024 - I think it’s fair to say that this is a typical Kyrgyz dinner

: February 6, 2024 - hello

: February 5, 2024 - SWOT analysis completed by teachers during a meeting today regarding our school …

: February 4, 2024 - moody sunset picture from last month

: February 3, 2024 - inside the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan when I was in Almaty a month ago. …

: February 2, 2024 - if it comes as any surprise, northern Kyrgyzstan in winter is neither the best …

: February 1, 2024 - construction on indoor toilets starting at my school (project was already planned …

: January 31, 2024 - chicken jump

: January 30, 2024 - in 9A’s classroom. I teach this class (but not here - in my English …

: January 29, 2024 - helped my host mom and sister fold buns yesterday. this was before they went in …

: January 28, 2024 - about a week-old lamb

: January 27, 2024 - went back to the iced-over lake that I skated on on New Year’s Eve, but …

: January 26, 2024 - чөбөгө, a kind of Kyrgyz spread made from sari mai (yellow butter) and kaimak …

: January 25, 2024 - thought my Kyrgyz teacher would have less to do after a regional academic …

: January 24, 2024 - today I learned what a feedbag is

: January 23, 2024 - there was an earthquake not too far away at 12:09 am this morning and the shaking …

: January 22, 2024 - yesterday my sister and her friend tried to bake a cake but it didn’t bake …

: January 21, 2024 - sauna room in a new banya in my village. apparently it opened last month

: January 20, 2024 - hello

: January 19, 2024 - discarded cigarette pack on the ground outside our house. pretty sure it was my …

: January 18, 2024 - lunch break during a regional English speaking competition that I was a judge …

: January 17, 2024 - classroom left in disarray (not by me)

: January 16, 2024 - mural near Lighthouse Coffee in Karakol

: January 15, 2024 - back to work today, but no interesting pictures, so here’s one from our …

: January 14, 2024 - we were approached by Korean missionaries in a restaurant in Kochkor today who …

: January 13, 2024 - Issyk-Kul Lake shore near Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

: January 12, 2024 - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

: January 11, 2024 - Christmas/New Year’s tree in Karakol

: January 10, 2024 - watched my host parents feed up today. it was actually my first time since they …

: January 9, 2024 - from today’s walk in my village

: January 8, 2024 - went to FixPrice hoping to find any flavor of dairy-free milk that was not …

: January 7, 2024 - how to fit 50 people on the road (in Russian and in Kyrgyz) Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

: January 6, 2024 - returning to Kyrgyzstan. at the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border but on the Kyrgyz side while …

: January 5, 2024 - Almaty, Kazakhstan

: January 4, 2024 - my boyfriend: “Almaty is better is Bishkek, I don’t smell any air …

: January 3, 2024 - one of my requests for this trip was to try Wendy’s. my spicy chicken …

: January 2, 2024 - this was our view outside of the bus for about 40 minutes. we were stopped on the …

: January 1, 2024 - from yesterday’s adventure - close-up of the frozen lake surface that my …

: December 31, 2023 - fun way to end the year by ice skating on a frozen reservoir/lake with my host …

: December 30, 2023 - trash day means seeing bags like this outside. I don’t know where the …

: December 29, 2023 - decorations in the school cafeteria for the teachers’ New Year’s …

: December 28, 2023 - Christmas gift from one of my coteachers. Apparently, she has a flower business. …

: December 27, 2023 - my host sister made me a Christmas tree?? it’s made of a garland and …

: December 26, 2023 - yesterday we had a couple of relaxed lessons during which our students made …

: December 25, 2023 - in Naryn region, driving back to Kochkor region

: December 24, 2023 - Christmas tree (or New Year’s tree, in Kyrgyzstan) in Naryn City

: December 23, 2023 - at a rest stop before arriving to Naryn City

: December 22, 2023 - sunset picture from last week

: December 21, 2023 - pigeons on a powerline

: December 20, 2023 - typical notebook that my students use at school

: December 19, 2023 - my family brought 3 foals(?) home over the weekend. my sister and cousin each …

: December 18, 2023 - why do I feel like I’ve never eaten fava beans in America? These are so …

: December 17, 2023 - in a Facebook group of language learners, one person recently shared a post …

: December 16, 2023 - the hospital in Kochkor decorated one of their trees for Christmas (don’t …

: December 15, 2023 - behind my school. a cemetery and mountains in the distance in the morning

: December 14, 2023 - sleepy (and probably cold) stray doggo on my way to school this morning

: December 13, 2023 - ice on the window INSIDE my classroom. coteacher said this window has one pane, …

: December 12, 2023 - today is the anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov’s birthday, the most famous …

: December 11, 2023 - my host sister was playing a weird mobile game on Saturday evening that let her …

: December 10, 2023 - more sheep friends! apparently they will all be sold at some point 😥 but I love …

: December 9, 2023 - despite almost every other place in Kyrgyzstan getting snow overnight, it only …

: December 8, 2023 - tonight’s dinner - manti. filled with meat and potatoes, which is not my …

: December 7, 2023 - my family has been drinking a lot of bozo lately. it’s a fermented drink …

: December 6, 2023 - my host mom bought some Smart & Rich brand tea and hot chocolate today. She …

: December 5, 2023 - I bought this instrument in Bishkek which goes by various names in English but in …

: December 4, 2023 - picture from about a month ago of a bag of kurut that my Kyrgyz teacher gave me …

: December 3, 2023 - seen while shopping for a winter hat in Bishkek. Was not a fan of the different …

: December 2, 2023 - walked around the resort last night and found this event room unlocked

: December 1, 2023 - clear day to see the mountain next to our resort. you can see the wooden steps in …

: November 30, 2023 - climbed some steps that go up the side of a small mountain at our new hotel …

: November 29, 2023 - there was a small fire in our hotel, and our conference had to move to another …

: November 28, 2023 - staying at a hotel in Bishkek for a conference and noticed this on the ceiling …

: November 27, 2023 - made gulab jamun yesterday using mix that I brought from America (there were …

: November 26, 2023 - Georgian food. my first time eating the khachapuri at this restaurant

: November 25, 2023 - Swan Lake ballet

: November 24, 2023 - my local colleagues got together for a “Thanksgiving” lunch 🥺 we had …

: November 23, 2023 - happy Thanksgiving and happy first real snow from my village! (which is funny to …

: November 22, 2023 - host family’s cow eating at sunset

: November 21, 2023 - my host mom came to my room today and said, “витамины тебе” …

: November 20, 2023 - taken during fall break. my family made a kind of salsa that they called …

: November 19, 2023 - lahmacun that we ate in Kochkor yesterday. I have doubts about its authenticity …

: November 18, 2023 - morning in the park. Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

: November 17, 2023 - I like to think my grammar is pretty good, but I was stumped on why we use the …

: November 16, 2023 - this plant was in my room when I first moved in, but I should not be trusted to …

: November 15, 2023 - mural near the entrance of a local colleague’s school in Kochkor

: November 14, 2023 - and his name is Jony Cena! “Cen” (seen, haha, get it? 🙃) at my …

: November 13, 2023 - mosque (maybe the central mosque?) in Naryn city

: November 12, 2023 - been slacking on taking pictures lately, so here’s another picture I took …

: November 11, 2023 - sunrise during the morning jog. thought I would upload this photo to make it …

: November 10, 2023 - my school recently painted the words ‘entrance’ and …

: November 9, 2023 - got a little snow in my village today!

: November 8, 2023 - a travel day usually means posting a nature picture. Just before crossing the …

: November 7, 2023 - my first time exploring Naryn city!

: November 6, 2023 - went for my first jog with my Kyrgyz teacher this morning! went to the sign of a …

: November 5, 2023 - mountains

: November 4, 2023 - my first Kyrgyz той (pronounced ‘toy’, basically a big Kyrgyz party …

: November 3, 2023 - the most social/friendliest of the sheep friends. but when I try to give her food …

: November 2, 2023 - yesterday’s sunset

: November 1, 2023 - my calf friend eating some hay

: October 31, 2023 - it rained, snowed for 5 minutes, then rained again

: October 30, 2023 - seen in Kochkor over the weekend. I’m sure that the cheese flavored corn …

: October 29, 2023 - finally tried Central Asia’s newest (at least Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) …

: October 28, 2023 - I got so excited when I saw this truck transporting a camel in Kochkor 🐪 …

: October 27, 2023 - the sauna room in my neighbor’s banya. It was my second time using their …

: October 26, 2023 - ‘food craft’ exhibition at school in celebration of fall, because …

: October 25, 2023 - sunrise

: October 24, 2023 - grandma had milk in a pot. was confused about what exactly it was. I thought she …

: October 23, 2023 - it was so windy when I walked home today, dust was flying everywhere

: October 22, 2023 - now we have cows!

: October 21, 2023 - pizza night! wasn’t a fan of the ingredients my sister used, but it’s …

: October 20, 2023 - one of the roads out of my village

: October 19, 2023 - you know winter is on its way when we’ve started using this heater at night

: October 18, 2023 - this evening’s sky

: October 17, 2023 - my host mom, who is not home, texted, “aren’t you cold at …

: October 16, 2023 - enjoying the warm sun during the day before temperatures go back down to near …

: October 15, 2023 - new additions to the family…well, I don’t know for how long. I call …

: October 14, 2023 - Kochkor bazaar

: October 13, 2023 - went to a little archaeological/historical museum in my village with my Kyrgyz …

: October 12, 2023 - fall colors

: October 11, 2023 - my Kyrgyz teacher brought this cute picture book to our lesson today. The title …

: October 10, 2023 - picked some potatoes with my host cousin. there are only a few students in class …

: October 9, 2023 - hay for horses

: October 8, 2023 - played Uno with my host siblings today

: October 7, 2023 - made buñuelos with my host sister today. not sure how much my host family likes …

: October 6, 2023 - a teacher that I don’t know gave me a bar of handmade soap as a gift for …

: October 5, 2023 - it’s no Tashkent plov, but a plate of fresh plov really hits the spot

: October 4, 2023 - my coteacher was late to class, so my 5th grade students decided to write on the …

: October 3, 2023 - Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan - road to Ormon Khan Park (new park that opened yesterday)

: October 2, 2023 - Crazy day. Taught only my first 2 out of 5 classes for the day to hear news that …

: October 1, 2023 - my sister tried to teach me a Kyrgyz variant of hopscotch, but wow it is really …

: September 30, 2023 - another Kyrgyz museum, another yurt. A true national treasure Kochkor, …

: September 29, 2023 - contrast, the sky view from the street a few days ago

: September 28, 2023 - The Peace Corps medical team here gave every volunteer in my cohort a …

: September 27, 2023 - saw this kitty on the way to school that I wanted to embrace, but it just …

: September 26, 2023 - my current beverage collection

: September 25, 2023 - a cow and some glare that we’re going to pretend can be classified as …

: September 24, 2023 - September 23 was Kyrgyz Language Day, so some students at my school organized a …

: September 23, 2023 - a day in the life, this morning’s mountain view

: September 22, 2023 - down the road after the hail storm on Monday

: September 21, 2023 - went on a picnic this past weekend with my host sister and her friends. A good …

: September 20, 2023 - I think I was a disruption at today’s goose meeting. I pass them almost …

: September 19, 2023 - projection going slightly off of the edge of the screen. in a classroom in my …

: September 18, 2023 - it started hailing on my way home from school, so that’s how I ended up …

: September 17, 2023 - went with my host sister to her friend’s house for a picnic and some …

: September 16, 2023 - oof!, aka, it was not a good idea to eat this pizza while my stomach was still …

: September 15, 2023 - red, the color of the peppers my host mom has drying out outside

: September 14, 2023 - statue of Turdakun Usubalievich Usubaliev who was born in Kochkor and worked as …

: September 13, 2023 - I have these glowing stars in my room because I am a child

: September 12, 2023 - might have unintentionally incited some panic in my students by giving them …

: September 11, 2023 - in retrospect, I’m pleased that I had half of this candy left to eat …

: September 10, 2023 - the water cycle at work today

: September 9, 2023 - sign in the Kyrgyz language with local emergency numbers. өрт кызматы - fire …

: September 8, 2023 - my family’s horses are back from yonder! ‘Yonder’ actually …

: September 7, 2023 - pretending that this picture taken at .5 zoom is a panorama shot since my actual …

: September 6, 2023 - my host sister makes blinchiki (Russian pancakes) well!

: September 5, 2023 - found it hard to believe my colleague when she first told me that my village is …

: September 4, 2023 - there’s some orange on this rug in my host family’s kitchen. sitting …

: September 3, 2023 - precious, probably the most wholesome graffiti I’ve ever seen. Kochkor, …

: September 2, 2023 - buildup of broken plastic frisbee shards from two different frisbees (one pink, …

: September 1, 2023 - grew up in cities so agriculture has mostly been an abstraction for me, but now …

: August 31, 2023 - weird cloud cover today, with white clouds over the mountains in the distance and …

: August 30, 2023 - my host family took me to a family friend’s house out in the country. My …

: August 29, 2023 - my 10 yr old host sister keeps making little crafts for me and it’s so …

: August 28, 2023 - my classroom! The school year starts on September 1st (Friday) but my main …

: August 27, 2023 - potato plants at another house in the village. apparently that’s the popular …

: August 26, 2023 - my 10 year old host sister and I burned a cake today 🤣 the oven temperature was …

: August 25, 2023 - I moved to Naryn oblast today as an official volunteer and will live here for 2 …

: August 24, 2023 - at Orto-Sai Bazaar. the sign reads ‘make keys’ in Kyrgyz (top) and in …

: August 23, 2023 - do you think we overpacked? (to be fair, the blue and red bags are medical bags …

: August 22, 2023 - view of southern Bishkek from the hotel we are in as we prep for swearing-in

: August 21, 2023 - pizzaaaaaaa

: August 20, 2023 - host mom of a colleague makes traditional Kyrgyz slippers. She made a pair for him …

: August 19, 2023 - got home late in the evening after watching Napoleon Dynamite with colleagues. …

: August 18, 2023 - view of Ala-Too Square, the National History Museum, and some of Bishkek from the …

: August 17, 2023 - chalkboard after an English lesson I observed from one of my colleagues. He did a …

: August 16, 2023 - the family of one of my colleagues made fried chicken and fries for all of us for …

: August 15, 2023 - 10 ruble bill from the USSR. One of my colleagues had it - I don’t remember …

: August 14, 2023 - this little dude was nibbling on his acorn while hanging onto a tree with his back …

: August 13, 2023 - today we discussed the legend of Burana Tower (Wikipedia) in Kyrgyz, and this is …

: August 12, 2023 - a cute house in Krasnaya Rechka village. My colleagues and I agreed that …

: August 11, 2023 - Also on yesterday’s adventure, while we were reading the plaque, a group …

: August 10, 2023 - went to a UNESCO designated place today of Buddhist building/monument remains …

: August 9, 2023 - street in Bishkek

: August 8, 2023 - in one of the classrooms where some of my colleagues teach during our practicum..

: August 7, 2023 - barely trying to hide that this is a Choco Pie knock-off

: August 6, 2023 - Kyrgyz cemetery

: August 5, 2023 - I don’t know what this bird is, but it looks so cool

: August 4, 2023 - green apple slices sitting on a table outside at a coworker’s host …

: August 3, 2023 - moon in the sky

: August 2, 2023 - cows walking down the road while I was on transport

: August 1, 2023 - entrance to the local school from inside

: July 31, 2023 - first day of my short teaching practicum! I had students work in groups and make …

: July 30, 2023 - Was confused because I saw this guy from a distance so I could only see the black …

: July 29, 2023 - There’s a phrase in Kyrgyz, Эл эмне дейт? (What will people say?) It …

: July 28, 2023 - Kyrgyz grammar chart made by a past trainee/volunteer. There is a separate word for …

: July 27, 2023 - line of sinks out in the open in the entrance hall of the local school. I …

: July 26, 2023 - crossing the road

: July 25, 2023 - raspberry jam

: July 24, 2023 - my host cousin showed me pictures he drew. They had stickers which looked exactly …

: July 23, 2023 - near Syn-Tash, Kyrgyzstan

: July 22, 2023 - in the middle of yurt set-up

: July 21, 2023 - love the scent of trash burning in the evening

: July 20, 2023 - fountain in front of ЦУМ, a shopping mall in Bishkek (picture taken this past …

: July 19, 2023 - Welcome to my host family’s banya! The stove on the right has hot water …

: July 18, 2023 - the clothes I have to wear for Culture Day on Saturday!

: July 17, 2023 - Victory Square, Bishkek

: July 16, 2023 - Dordoi Plaza shopping center in Bishkek

: July 15, 2023 - outhouse friends

: July 14, 2023 - lyrics (only the first and third verses) to a Kyrgyz song called Угузчу бир сөз that …

: July 13, 2023 - my cohort finally took a day trip to Bishkek to see the Peace Corps office here and …

: July 12, 2023 - my Kyrgyz teacher brought these delicious desserts to class called Amaretti. The …

: July 11, 2023 - in my village

: July 10, 2023 - went to a music teacher’s house to ask her to tune a couple of komuzes. She …

: July 9, 2023 - a fellow volunteer gave me this apple at our last training day together three days …

: July 8, 2023 - factory in my village which is undergoing renovation

: July 7, 2023 - we had homemade pizza, coca-cola and cake to celebrate my host brother’s …

: July 6, 2023 - sunset

: July 5, 2023 - Russian cemetery in my town

: July 4, 2023 - came home to this and was told that it was a grain used for feeding chickens and …

: July 3, 2023 - cucumbers from my host family’s garden

: July 2, 2023 - mountain view today from my PST village. was the clearest view of the mountains …

: July 1, 2023 - all the trainees in my village got together for a movie night but it didn’t …

: June 30, 2023 - my fellow trainees and my Kyrgyz teacher laughed at me today when I told them I …

: June 29, 2023 - I don’t remember the number, somewhere between 30 to 50 liters of kompot in …

: June 28, 2023 - Аит Маарек Болсун! (Happy Eid! in Kyrgyz) Just a small portion of a table in one of …

: June 27, 2023 - table set with fresh boorsok that my fellow trainees and Kyrgyz teacher made in …

: June 26, 2023 - helped my host mom make Быжы this evening, sausage made with sheep meat, rice, …

: June 25, 2023 - evening walk in the village

: June 24, 2023 - beshbarmak for lunch

: June 23, 2023 - learning and reviewing verbs in Kyrgyz

: June 22, 2023 - lagman for lunch

: June 21, 2023 - host family’s gate at night

: June 20, 2023 - cow eating leaves from a tree on my host family’s road

: June 19, 2023 - my host mom made cherry kompot today!

: June 18, 2023 - train going through Ivanovka Station

: June 17, 2023 - Training Host Family Matching Day! Met my interim host family and I’ll be …

: June 16, 2023 - mosque near our guesthouse

: June 15, 2023 - dining room of our guesthouse

: June 14, 2023 - evening walk

: June 13, 2023 - Chong Kemin River

: June 12, 2023 - back in one of my favorite countries. near Kemin, Kyrgyzstan

: June 11, 2023 - Philadelphia

: June 10, 2023 - coffee shop in Philadelphia

: June 9, 2023 - Philadelphia

: June 8, 2023 - last San Antonio sunset for a while

: June 7, 2023 - tea cafe in San Antonio

: June 6, 2023 - dinner

: June 5, 2023 - The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas. It’s fun being a tourist in my own city

: June 4, 2023 - ominous rain clouds in San Antonio this afternoon

: June 3, 2023 - on the Greenway Trail, San Antonio

: June 2, 2023 - my friends and I made buñuelos chips today!

: June 1, 2023 - Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg, Texas

: May 31, 2023 - I am finding myself just as intrigued by American supermarket products as I was in …

: May 30, 2023 - local Bass Pro shop had a nice-looking little Memorial Day display out front

: May 29, 2023 - on the way back to San Antonio

: May 28, 2023 - a black squirrel!!! the first one I’ve ever seen in my life! and interesting …

: May 27, 2023 - morning view of a train from the 10th Street Bridge

: May 26, 2023 - fountain in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse

: May 25, 2023 - sunset view of the Monongahela River from the 10th Street Bridge. Pittsburgh, …

: May 24, 2023 - 10th Street Bridge, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

: May 23, 2023 - above cloudy LA, flying to Pittsburgh

: May 22, 2023 - in front of the civic center in Long Beach, California

: May 21, 2023 - along the Catalina Trail, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

: May 20, 2023 - before landing at LAX

: May 19, 2023 - San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas

: May 18, 2023 - The Pearl, San Antonio, Texas. District along the Riverwalk with a lot of restaurants …

: May 17, 2023 - Bexar County Courthouse, San Antonio, Texas. I easily recognize this building because …

: May 16, 2023 - pasta from Pasta Louise in Brooklyn

: May 15, 2023 - Brooklyn Central Public Library (didn’t go inside, though)

: May 14, 2023 - Prospect Park, Brooklyn (returned to Texas today, though…it was an extremely …

: May 13, 2023 - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

: May 12, 2023 - shortly before descending to JFK

: May 11, 2023 - sunset in San Antonio, Texas

: May 10, 2023 - Boerne, Texas

: May 9, 2023 - attic

: May 8, 2023 - just another morning at the doctor. Hopefully this should be my last appointment for a …

: May 7, 2023 - I want to take some Girl Scout cookies back to Kyrgyzstan 🤣

: May 6, 2023 - I forgot how much I missed barbacoa

: May 5, 2023 - near El Campo, Texas

: May 4, 2023 - crawfish. this was after we had eaten most of them

: May 3, 2023 - near El Campo, Texas

: May 2, 2023 - the highlight of flying from Bishkek to Istanbul is seeing the Caucasus Mountains

: May 1, 2023 - well, was supposed to leave Bishkek today for America, but the flight to IST was …

: April 30, 2023 - green

: April 29, 2023 - at Dordoi Bazaar

: April 28, 2023 - fresh water dispenser in Bishkek

: April 27, 2023 - on the way back to Bishkek

: April 26, 2023 - today went on a nice walk past this village, Acha-Kaiyngdy, towards the mountains

: April 25, 2023 - shop on the way to Tash Rabat from At-Bashi

: April 24, 2023 - Tash Rabat

: April 23, 2023 - At-Bashi River

: April 22, 2023 - eating square noodles, beef, potatoes, and drinking beef bone broth while waiting …

: April 21, 2023 - mountain view from At-Bashy, Kyrgyzstan

: April 20, 2023 - on the way to southern Kyrgyzstan

: April 19, 2023 - in honor of my final Russian lesson, my Russian teacher (who is Kyrgyz) gifted me a …

: April 18, 2023 - Imam Sarahsi Central Mosque, Bishkek

: April 17, 2023 - пончики (donuts) from Daamduu, a fast food chain in Bishkek (and the name даамдуу …

: April 16, 2023 - statue of Mikhail Frunze in the rain

: April 15, 2023 - entrance of Bishkek’s railway station

: April 14, 2023 - Dmitry Kuklachev (Дмитрий Куклачев) advertisement seen in Bishkek. He (and his …

: April 13, 2023 - bought kulich today, an Eastern European bread eaten around Easter. It was my first …

: April 12, 2023 - Today is Cosmonautics Day, celebrated in Russia and some former USSR countries. …

: April 11, 2023 - President’s Residence; Almaty, Kazakhstan. Current reconstruction after a lot …

: April 10, 2023 - Central State Museum; Almaty, Kazakhstan (I’m back in Bishkek now though, my …

: April 9, 2023 - Ascension Cathedral; Almaty, Kazakhstan

: April 8, 2023 - metro station; Almaty, Kazakhstan

: April 7, 2023 - apparently this is an apartment building

: April 6, 2023 - the lilacs in Bishkek are blooming

: April 5, 2023 - bought a snack at the shop but the shopkeeper didn’t have enough change so she …

: April 4, 2023 - caboose

: April 3, 2023 - sign wishing ‘happy Nooruz’ in Kyrgyz on a building not far from Ala-Too …

: April 2, 2023 - apartment building corridor

: April 1, 2023 - just before the beginning of Ramadan I started seeing some papers in supermarkets …

: March 31, 2023 - friend helped me rent a bike last weekend so I could practice riding (I’m …

: March 30, 2023 - mirror in apartment

: March 29, 2023 - “grand elite” sliced bread (the label describes it as “wheat …

: March 28, 2023 - an offhand comment to a friend about microwave popcorn prompted this purchase. …

: March 27, 2023 - close-up of support in the elevator. was curious to know if Braille here differs …

: March 26, 2023 - instruments used for sumolok, a dessert made at Nowruz. One of my students invited …

: March 25, 2023 - went to try some Georgian food recently because a friend wanted to eat khinkali. …

: March 24, 2023 - food court (kind of, типа) outside of Bishkek’s Hippodrome where I went to …

: March 23, 2023 - had a chance on Tuesday (which was the Nowruz holiday) to watch көк бөрү (in …

: March 22, 2023 - insect I saw on the wall before class

: March 21, 2023 - tiny yet expensive Nutella containers (small hand for comparison)

: March 20, 2023 - succulent houseplants in a hair salon with a coffee shop inside

: March 19, 2023 - analog - magazine from 2020 at a clinic

: March 18, 2023 - closest recent thing I have to a portico, blurry picture in front of a restaurant

: March 17, 2023 - empty package of something I ate in the early morning before work - vareniki …

: March 16, 2023 - want to get on the road? Stop by your neighborhood driving school! (and pay your …

: March 15, 2023 - patience as she waits for customers (drink sellers on the road are a sign of …

: March 14, 2023 - the central heating turned off a few days ago, but there’s still pollution on …

: March 13, 2023 - a connection I never imagined I would see. Nutella with boorsok, Kyrgyz traditional …

: March 12, 2023 - shiny lights in a food court with a wall mural of a woman wearing an elechek in the …

: March 11, 2023 - does this car from a Kinder Surprise egg count as a gimcrack?

: March 10, 2023 - ritual walk to where I take Russian lessons

: March 9, 2023 - working together at a cafe

: March 8, 2023 - going out for a walk

: March 7, 2023 - got a whole lot of chocolate for the International Women’s Day holiday …

: March 6, 2023 - faulty engineering leading to uneven streets and sidewalks?

: March 5, 2023 - ornate tile in my friend’s apartment. only in this space

: March 4, 2023 - one of the parts of the zipper on my winter coat which I bought last year fell off …

: March 3, 2023 - solitude on a street at night

: March 2, 2023 - decent weather and a view of Vefa shopping center

: March 1, 2023 - windows on the first floor are often secured

: February 28, 2023 - hide wires in the walls? nah, too much work

: February 27, 2023 - what seems to be tuberculosis records on paper which are surprisingly accessible …

: February 26, 2023 - “Ikea” store in Bishkek (there’s no real Ikea branch here but …

: February 25, 2023 - glad to have found the Actual оптика (optika) instead of the Fake one

: February 24, 2023 - vaccination room, in Kyrgyz (эмдөө = vaccination; бөлмө = room) Was here for a …

: February 23, 2023 - weird to have been in Bishkek long enough to notice changes like these new buses …

: February 22, 2023 - can you tell that this was taken from an apartment building window?

: February 21, 2023 - unfortunately sick, but fortunately have support to go out and buy me medicine

: February 20, 2023 - what I understand to be the current Russian equivalent of Coca-Cola. Tastes like …

: February 19, 2023 - пастила боярышник ромбик, or ‘hawthorn fruit paste flavored …

: February 18, 2023 - takeaway borscht from a popular restaurant. This is only the second or third …

: February 17, 2023 - had to buy a new kettle and was reading the ‘English’ instructions …

: February 16, 2023 - my friend has been giving me Russian lessons from her friend’s office in a …

: February 15, 2023 - another friend that I met at the tiny zoo last week

: February 14, 2023

: February 13, 2023 - one of my adult students has friends in America and recently received a package …

: February 12, 2023 - bought dragonfruit at the bazaar yesterday. I wouldn’t say dragonfruit is …

: February 11, 2023 - chuchuk (чучук, horse sausage) sign at a bazaar

: February 10, 2023 - Togolok Moldo Park around sunset

: February 9, 2023 - I love strange English on objects in foreign countries

: February 8, 2023 - went to a super small zoo but saw some pretty cute animals like this meerkat. …

: February 7, 2023 - nice mountain view from Bishkek today

: February 6, 2023 - no packing date 🙃

: February 5, 2023 - left a friend’s apartment today to find 5 buckets of water and cleaning …

: February 4, 2023 - Tess of the D’Urbevilles and Chingiz Aitmatov (red books on the shelf …

: February 3, 2023 - downhill view while skiing

: February 2, 2023 - picture in a park from the end of December

: February 1, 2023 - inside Papa John’s when I went about a month ago

: January 31, 2023 - sunrise in Bishkek

: January 30, 2023 - bought kimbap with shrimp to eat before my Russian lesson because I was quite …

: January 29, 2023 - I’ve probably shared a picture of this statue before, but I know I …

: January 28, 2023 - My first time skiing in Kyrgyzstan! I’ve only skiied one other time in my …

: January 27, 2023 - cat that lives at or near the Great Emptiness Museum

: January 26, 2023 - stocking up on winter photos before the season ends

: January 25, 2023 - I’ve recently discovered that I’m a fan of Ulker brand chocolate bars …

: January 24, 2023 - don’t know what kind of bird this is, but Hello

: January 23, 2023 - forgive my ignorance as I’m not a parent nor have I ever bought any baby …

: January 22, 2023 - there was a building with a fire on one of the upper floors that you could see …

: January 21, 2023 - first time I’ve ever seen a sign explaining how to use these produce …

: January 20, 2023 - um hey Santa, what’s going on there?

: January 19, 2023 - seasonal special sign announcing the availability of mulled wine at this coffee …

: January 18, 2023 - Bought pb with this American Olympic diver on it. Was wondering why he would …

: January 17, 2023 - there’s a new bubble tea shop near my school. The boba was pretty good, …

: January 16, 2023 - lost my hand cream & had to buy more with the cold. I like how this one …

: January 15, 2023 - finally went to The Great Emptiness Museum as suggested by @restlesslens. It was …

: January 14, 2023 - got a Dollar General bag when I went to Orto-Sai Bazaar yesterday??

: January 13, 2023 - Orto-Sai Bazaar on a very, very cold evening

: January 12, 2023 - old ferris wheel at Ata-Turk Park

: January 11, 2023 - cold snap in Central Asia. Taken this morning just before 8 am in Bishkek when it …

: January 10, 2023 - My students are so nice. One gave me a banana and yogurt today. Another baked …

: January 9, 2023 - at a cafe doing Russian homework before my lesson. I ordered a bottle of Coca-Cola …

: January 8, 2023 - my friend feeding a squirrel in Ata-Turk Park

: January 7, 2023 - snacks, tea and coffee at today’s teacher training course session

: January 6, 2023 - decently nice day at Ala-Too Square downtown 🙂

: January 5, 2023 - inside the Kyrgyz State Historical Museum, which wouldn’t be a complete …

: January 4, 2023 - fresh snow!

: January 3, 2023 - finally tried Papa John’s in Bishkek! It was fine, not amazing, not bad but …

: January 2, 2023 - interestingly progressive sign in Kyrgyz on public transport…Google …

: January 1, 2023 - sign wishing the residents in my building a happy new year

: December 31, 2022 - I know this looks unappetizing, but don’t be like me and judge it based on …

: December 30, 2022 - how nice of someone to add some holiday cheer to our building stairwell. just in …

: December 29, 2022 - got a haircut for the first time in a year and a half!!!

: December 28, 2022 - some holiday decorations on public transport

: December 27, 2022 - partly frozen Ala-Archa River flowing into Bishkek with mountains in the …

: December 26, 2022 - the first Thai restaurant I’ve visited in Bishkek

: December 25, 2022 - seen in a supermarket, strange but didn’t think much of it. Come to find …

: December 24, 2022 - festive-looking snowman in front of a fancy-looking restaurant

: December 23, 2022 - hello from the dentist’s office. just a normal check-up. …

: December 22, 2022 - work holiday party at a karaoke place

: December 21, 2022 - ‘Online Chess’ lessons advertisement at a bus stop. “Fast. …

: December 20, 2022 - Christmas tree in front of a municipal building near my school

: December 19, 2022 - foggy (and probably polluted, too) day in Togolok Moldo Park

: December 18, 2022 - purple matcha drink in a cafe. spoke with a new friend who is attending the same …

: December 17, 2022 - so my friend told me there is a stray cat that hangs around her school …

: December 16, 2022 - coffee shop downtown

: December 15, 2022 - slight traffic accident 😬

: December 14, 2022 - handwritten Russian is still a mystery to me. Was surprised to get a few words, …

: December 13, 2022 - a 12 year-old student gave me two small heart-shaped pancakes today. I asked …

: December 12, 2022 - bought this Kyrgyz-Russian-English dictionary about a month ago. I’ve …

: December 11, 2022 - god i love the limited visibility in winter it’s so charming (ft. stray …

: December 10, 2022 - apparently there was an international/diplomatic summit and Putin is in town. So …

: December 9, 2022 - box of sugar cubes ак = white in Kyrgyz; кант = sugar in Kyrgyz

: December 8, 2022 - dirty bus floor after some snow

: December 7, 2022 - eye doctor visit! (that’s my bag in the picture, had no idea where to put …

: December 6, 2022 - have not tried these yet, but came across them at the store for the first time …

: December 5, 2022 - unhealthy air morning (and day)

: December 4, 2022 - icicles

: December 3, 2022 - detail on a Russian Orthodox church in the northern part of the city

: December 2, 2022 - the most talented streetlamp I know

: December 1, 2022 - snow on the street corner

: November 30, 2022 - not just fog, but also winter death air. yuck. the opposite of safety, which can …

: November 29, 2022 - honestly got no idea why the fish is packaged like this (apparently a kind of …

: November 28, 2022 - a trend I’ve noticed here is that people who live in apartment buildings …

: November 27, 2022 - gathered motivation to try this Kyrgyz fast food place (I know, motivation for …

: November 26, 2022 - made a commitment earlier this month to take a photo of the building where …

: November 25, 2022 - Russian lesson ritual disrupted a bit. Teacher arrived later than usual (but …

: November 24, 2022 - have to retain these adjective endings, but the rules don’t compute in my …

: November 23, 2022 - updated my vaccine record! got lost in the depressing-looking clinic, only had …

: November 22, 2022 - sunrise picture in the mountains from last year when I stayed overnight in a …

: November 21, 2022 - snow/ice pic from last Thursday morning (it snowed last Wednesday but it’s …

: November 20, 2022 - repeat topic - another picture from my August trip. Missing nature and the …

: November 19, 2022 - novels at the supermarket

: November 18, 2022 - ad at a bus stop with a picture of a car which therefore includes tires. (the …

: November 17, 2022 - barrelling down country highways and roads in Kyrgyzstan means being on alert …

: November 16, 2022 - Globus supermarket franchise soon to open about a minute walk from my …

: November 15, 2022 - from my locally purchased deodorant which contains aluminum zirconium …

: November 14, 2022 - some people leave out food for stray cats 🙂

: November 13, 2022 - personally don’t drive here myself, but still have to adjust to seeing …

: November 12, 2022 - I had a suspicion that I wouldn’t like these ketchup flavored …

: November 11, 2022 - the garlands being put on display close to toilet brushes was really off-putting …

: November 10, 2022 - I had no idea where Kyrgyz goverment ministers actually worked and found the …

: November 9, 2022 - yesterday the weather forecast showed that it was 90% certain about snow today …

: November 8, 2022 - consensus: funny or just me? I first read the name of the store …

: November 7, 2022 - insight into how marshrutka drivers store coins (ugh I had this post ready …

: November 6, 2022 - there’s an echo in my head telling me to take care of this..

: November 5, 2022 - was exempt from paying full price for this as it was on sale

: November 4, 2022 - admiration for my student who brings me something daily. She said this is a …

: November 3, 2022 - if I had had a license and car, I wouldn’t have had to wait at the bus stop …

: November 2, 2022 - a feast “for the lovely girls” (text in white to the left of the …

: November 1, 2022 - today’s exchange figures (yes I am aware that we don’t actually use …

: October 31, 2022 - small Halloween display in the lobby of the place where I take Russian lessons

: October 30, 2022 - inside the National Library of Kyrgyzstan

: October 29, 2022 - Gapar Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts. Gorgeous paintings and cool crafts …

: October 28, 2022 - mural on a building in which you can see a woman wearing a traditional Kyrgyz …

: October 27, 2022 - a picture from my forest hike about two weeks ago

: October 26, 2022 - saw these outside of my neighbor’s door. wonder if they were making jam? or …

: October 25, 2022 - a drink called tarkhun, a green soda made of tarragon leaves which was …

: October 24, 2022 - statue of a manaschi (a reteller of the Kyrgyz epic Manas) named Sayakbai in …

: October 23, 2022 - advertisement. If my language skills are up to par, it talks about work abroad in …

: October 22, 2022 - free classical music performance by a cellist and pianist. There were so many …

: October 21, 2022 - shashlik restaurant near my apartment. Why are there tires on the ground? Not …

: October 20, 2022 - good morning

: October 19, 2022 - naan section at a supermarket (in the baskets on the metal display). …

: October 18, 2022 - typical keypad on the outside of apartment buildings used to get inside

: October 17, 2022 - Back for another day, at Togolok Moldo Park

: October 16, 2022 - Did this ramen taste better than most ramen I have had in Bishkek? Yes. Does that …

: October 15, 2022 - birch forest at Ala-Archa National Park in autumn I actually hiked here last …

: October 14, 2022 - took lots of pictures today, but wanted to opt for something a little more Kyrgyz …

: October 13, 2022 - picture of the table spread from the recent wedding I went to. In the back of the …

: October 12, 2022 - red fall trees, also on Tokombayev going towards Asanbai

: October 11, 2022 - Harry Potter Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. Even on sale these are still …

: October 10, 2022 - more fall trees

: October 9, 2022 - According to the Pledge wikipedia article, ‘In several countries, it is sold …

: October 8, 2022 - henna at an Afghan wedding

: October 7, 2022 - Dubai Fresh Fish. Never been to this restaurant, it just caught my eye. To be …

: October 6, 2022 - large airplane model(?) in front of what I believe is a military institute. I …

: October 5, 2022 - Hello, fall. Taken on Tokombayev Street going towards Asanbai District

: October 4, 2022 - I have sat here before, and I think I have even posted a photo that I took while …

: October 3, 2022 - statue commemorating a war in Batken?? Not exactly sure of the details, I might …

: October 2, 2022 - Oh darn, can’t smoke hookah on the bus!!! That was exactly what I wanted to …

: October 1, 2022 - photo exhibition and cultural event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan …

: September 30, 2022 - what I assume was a small mosque in a village, but I don’t know for sure …

: September 29, 2022 - accessibility still has a ways to go (the regular stall on the right is …

: September 28, 2022 - another scenic picture from my August trip

: September 27, 2022 - someone didn’t need their toilet anymore 🙃

: September 26, 2022 - from a Uyghur Party I went to in August where there was traditional Uyghur …

: September 25, 2022 - restaurant outdoor seating

: September 24, 2022 - What exactly is being offered here? I get that it is ‘not fried …

: September 23, 2022 - weird sculpture thing in Asia Mall of a basket of KFC chicken and fries

: September 22, 2022 - all marshrutkas have a sign like this visible from the outside with the number …

: September 21, 2022 - it appears that someone in my building is having a party. Why is their …

: September 20, 2022 - inside a small burger cafe near my apartment. I think it’s funny that it …

: September 19, 2022 - north end of Togolok Moldo Park (this park is close to where I have Russian …

: September 18, 2022 - this cutie lives somewhere outside a supermarket that I sometimes go to. I know …

: September 17, 2022 - road not too far from my apartment where you can see the mountains. Was on my …

: September 16, 2022 - Asanbai district bazaar, just a short walk from where I live

: September 15, 2022 - blini (Russian pancakes) and a frappe at a cafe before my Russian lesson. …

: September 14, 2022 - another picture of the Naryn River in Jalal-Abad region from my August trip

: September 13, 2022 - Olive oil tends to be pricy as it’s imported from further away than other …

: September 12, 2022 - Togolok Moldo Park & Togolok Moldo bust from behind. He is on the 20 som …

: September 11, 2022 - guesthouse from my August trip at sunrise (Jalal-Abad region)

: September 10, 2022 - From my August trip. The sign on the right has a red car and a black car, which …

: September 9, 2022 - hotpot! My first time eating Chinese food in Bishkek. Surprisingly good, and the …

: September 8, 2022 - the director of our school finally got rid of these dinky armchairs which were …

: September 7, 2022 - returned to my apartment building to find a tiny, black kitten. I didn’t …

: September 6, 2022 - outdoor cafe rooftop (this was the cafe where I ate fried fish during my …

: September 5, 2022 - raspberry and mango lemonade in a cafe before my Russian lesson

: September 4, 2022 - wedding food! It was pretty good, though honestly was not a fan of the horse …

: September 3, 2022 - My former colleague (local person - although he is Uyghur, not Kyrgyz) invited …

: September 2, 2022 - “Coffee as sweet as falling in first love - always Let’s be …

: September 1, 2022 - satisfying my Indian food craving at an all-you-can-eat lunchtime Indian buffet

: August 31, 2022 - from my trip in mid-August. We stayed at a guesthouse and this was my view out the …

: August 30, 2022 - confused by this pack of tea. It appears to be from last winter. Also the tag …

: August 29, 2022 - gourmet macarons! One of my students had a birthday today, so we had a small …

: August 28, 2022 - another picture of Sary-Chelek Lake from a different location and a little later …

: August 27, 2022 - sellers on the street near Orto-Sai Bazaar. They usually have second-hand clothes …

: August 26, 2022 - yurt mural on a building in Bishkek with an actual small yurt set up next to it. …

: August 25, 2022 - traditional Kyrgyz dining seating that you can see in some restaurants, but I …

: August 24, 2022 - trying to make sense of “Water Drinks” Left: ‘water’ …

: August 23, 2022 - near-empty marshrutka (маршрутка, Google and others translate it to …

: August 22, 2022 - the entrance of Madina Bazaar, apparently the place to go if you want to buy …

: August 21, 2022 - on a wall in the center of Bishkek

: August 20, 2022 - went to a Uyghur event this evening where I drank traditional milk tea. It tasted …

: August 19, 2022 - hiking viewpoint of two lakes with Lake Sary-Chelek on the right. Even with a …

: August 18, 2022 - map of Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve and its 7 lakes (the largest lake is Sary-Chelek …

: August 17, 2022 - long story short, the electricity bill hadn’t been paid and we received this …

: August 16, 2022 - Naryn River, one of the longest in Kyrgyzstan (this picture of the Naryn River is …

: August 15, 2022 - got a tiny newspaper at my door. It has ads for supplements & vitamins and …

: August 14, 2022 - fried fish lunch at Toktogul Reservoir on the way back to Bishkek. My first time …

: August 13, 2022 - Lake Sary-Chelek in the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve, Jalal-Abad (location). …

: August 12, 2022 - Toktogul Reservoir, Jalal-Abad region (Google Maps makes it look like it is in the …

: August 11, 2022 - outside my apartment building. I love the way the vines climb up

: August 10, 2022 - a medical center I pass on the way home from my Russian lessons with a sign in …

: August 9, 2022 - my students always recommend this confectionery called Kulikovsky, and decided I …

: August 8, 2022 - garden and sitting area outside of the building where I have Russian lessons. If …

: August 7, 2022 - have wondered how I would manage if an ATM ate my card and didn’t return it. …

: August 6, 2022 - Caucasus flatbread called lavash. Sold in supermarkets. This was the smallest one I …

: August 5, 2022 - not an actual picture, but this Kyrgyz song (YouTube link) is (or was recently) …

: August 4, 2022 - some American students studying Russian at my school got covid, and this is the …

: August 3, 2022 - interesting spider graffiti

: August 2, 2022 - a student brought me kvass today. I don’t go out of my way to get kvass, but …

: August 1, 2022 - sunset and view from my kitchen window

: July 31, 2022 - a school close to where I live

: July 30, 2022 - While cat sitting earlier this month, I accidentally left a notebook at my …

: July 29, 2022 - another picture of the reception area in the office where I have Russian lessons. …

: July 28, 2022 - a couple of cars on the left side of the picture had a fender bender or something …

: July 27, 2022 - I like this advertisement. (вкусная мебель = delicious furniture)

: July 26, 2022 - someone (presumably a student) lost/left their keys at school 😢

: July 25, 2022 - walking down the street from my apartment to the bus stop (you can see the Russian …

: July 24, 2022 - Simit, which is like a Turkish bagel. They are relatively easy to find and some …

: July 23, 2022 - I’m not a consumer of mohito (мохито) scented or flavored products (or actual …

: July 22, 2022 - I’ve been seeing more and more bike racks like this pop up around the city. …

: July 21, 2022 - one of my students has a son who studies in Moscow. He came home, brought this …

: July 20, 2022 - reception area inside the office of the business where I take Russian lessons (with …

: July 19, 2022 - marshrutka stopped for gas. Gas was 67.5 som/liter. 3.786 (rounded) liters in 1 …

: July 18, 2022 - small restaurant at Shamshy Gorge after hiking yesterday. We ate shorpo which was …

: July 17, 2022 - hiking again. this time at Shamshy Gorge (Ущелье Шамшы)

: July 16, 2022 - travel agency advertisement outside of a supermarket (according to the sign: agency …

: July 15, 2022 - mural

: July 14, 2022 - verb conjugation practice

: July 13, 2022 - I’m a sucker for anything strawberry flavored and the space cow was also …

: July 12, 2022 - Catalpa or similar tree? There are many of them in the park close to where I take …

: July 11, 2022 - stray white kitty sleeping on some cardboard boxes (also I see 312 phone numbers on …

: July 10, 2022 - Does the hospital bed sign just designate hospitals in the vicinity? Wouldn’t …

: July 9, 2022 - I grew up with Pokemon, so I was really tempted to buy this discounted berry-flavored …

: July 8, 2022 - another picture from my hiking trip in mid-June

: July 7, 2022 - premade mampar soup which I bought at the store. I can’t seem to find a lot of …

: July 6, 2022 - lately I have been finding juice extremely satisfying. I bought this Kyrgyz …

: July 5, 2022 - another picture from hiking with my student and her family. This is a pistachio tree …

: July 4, 2022 - another picture from the lake trip I took in mid-June. This was a picture of the road …

: July 3, 2022 - second bag of food which I had received from my student. homemade bread and manti …

: July 2, 2022 - landscaping work at a school, specifically cutting down a tree

: July 1, 2022 - Fast food fix. This is the second time I’ve eaten KFC here. These are terminals …

: June 30, 2022 - macarons and beverages at a cafe with my friend who is teaching me Kyrgyz! I had a …

: June 29, 2022 - the other side of the view from hiking this past weekend - Bishkek in the distance

: June 28, 2022 - Alabai dog my student has. It is HUGE (look at the paws in the picture)! They said …

: June 27, 2022 - one of the three different bags of food I went home with yesterday because my …

: June 26, 2022 - one of my adult students who lives not too far outside Bishkek invited me to her …

: June 25, 2022 - bulgogi (or pulkogi / пулькоги as it was written in the menu) at a small Korean …

: June 24, 2022 - from Saturday’s (June 18th) trip which took us to two lakes. this was the …

: June 23, 2022 - strawberry flavored milk with “exotic” flavored muesli actually …

: June 22, 2022 - when bread and smetana (basically Slavic sour cream) is a satisfying snack??

: June 21, 2022 - kitchen window view

: June 20, 2022 - awesome! just as I begin cat-sitting in this region for 3 weeks in an apartment with …

: June 19, 2022 - and cat-sitting begins!

: June 18, 2022 - Sulutorskiye Ozora (Lake) / Сулуторские озёра by the Ashuu Mountain (Тоо Ашуу) Pass

: June 17, 2022 - pretty sunset

: June 16, 2022 - on the bus

: June 15, 2022 - window propped open by an empty bottle in a stairwell

: June 14, 2022 - today’s mountain view from work

: June 13, 2022 - intense evening sky

: June 12, 2022 - trying to figure out which washer setting is the best for delicate clothes. p.s. I …

: June 11, 2022 - my roommate graduated!

: June 10, 2022 - thought this was a kinda cool looking old car even though I’m not a car …

: June 9, 2022 - when I look at this building, I always wonder how meetings with the architect(s) went …

: June 8, 2022 - small plums

: June 7, 2022 - after some googling this seems to be a sumac plant? Some of the flower …

: June 6, 2022 - thought this vehicle outside my apartment building looked a little …

: June 5, 2022 - menu at a recently opened bubble tea shop not too far from where I live. The boba and …

: June 4, 2022 - Sasha, NO CALL ME! and БУНКЕР (bunker?) graffiti

: June 3, 2022 - baklava at a Turkish cafe

: June 2, 2022 - cherries from one of my students (home-grown!)

: June 1, 2022 - small pillow which a bus driver used for holding change (the odd colored part in the …

: May 31, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 31: unfortunate news. My electric kettle no longer has …

: May 30, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 30: the closest thing I’ve eaten to fish recently

: May 29, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 29: wipes, napkins and toilet paper packaging with lots …

: May 28, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 28: something which looked like a small fair or market …

: May 27, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 27: essay written by one of my students. His essays …

: May 26, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 26: schedule which I drew on the board in our …

: May 25, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 25: According to Wikipedia, the Tian Shan mountain …

: May 24, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 24: intricate design on my sheer curtains. The design …

: May 23, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 23: bit plain but nutritious and delicious snack. From …

: May 22, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 22: fabric pad on the sofa. It’s actually …

: May 21, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 21: symmetry in rainbows or something

: May 20, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 20: beverage (tea) at a cafe about a week ago

: May 19, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 19: today’s tea has certainly felt like an …

: May 18, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 18: random picture of a funchoza (фунчеза) salad I …

: May 17, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 17: hold on, it’s what you gotta do when …

: May 16, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 16: time clock in my office which I rarely look at …

: May 15, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 15: clouds picture from May 9th. Unfortunately one of …

: May 14, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 14: elaborate fence outside of a mosque

: May 13, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 13: community (that’s a good word to describe …

: May 12, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 12: only tranquility here where there is supposed to be …

: May 11, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 11: finally putting my sweaters (including a maroon …

: May 10, 2022 - one complaint I often hear from my students about their country is that the roads are …

: May 9, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 9: bloom

: May 8, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 8: billboard which references Victory Day (taking place …

: May 7, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 7: Victory Park, Bishkek

: May 6, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 6: (my) silhouette in my kitchen at night

: May 5, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 5: The Globus (supermarket chain in Kyrgyzstan) logo has …

: May 4, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 4: thorny

: May 3, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 3: experimental in trying different body care items …

: May 2, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 2: photo of a Windows XP Professional desktop in a …

: May 1, 2022 - MicroBlog Photo Challenge Day 1: button (switch) on a домофон (door phone) (the small …

: April 30, 2022 - pharmacy haul!! (tl;dr - been sick about a week now with mainly a sore throat and …

: April 29, 2022 - Hey, what are you drinking? Oh, don’t mind me, I’m just drinking an …

: April 28, 2022 - homemade jam from one of my students 😊

: April 27, 2022 - incoming storm

: April 26, 2022 - lemonade drink

: April 25, 2022 - vibrant sunset

: April 24, 2022 - lots of dates for sale in stores these days due to Ramadan, the Islamic month of …

: April 23, 2022 - a park

: April 22, 2022 - saw this on a paper in our teacher’s office. I asked my (British) coworker …

: April 21, 2022 - the bin area where I discard my trash

: April 20, 2022 - why hello, little bug

: April 19, 2022 - hummus, a useful snack. To be fair, I think the word ‘useful’ comes …

: April 18, 2022 - a kind gesture pt. 3

: April 17, 2022 - a picture of last night’s dinner at Navat (a well-known restaurant chain in …

: April 16, 2022 - this? My friend ordered it at dinner together. She mentioned ‘baklava’, …

: April 15, 2022 - fancy karaoke club with colleagues (there were around 20 of us altogether, not …

: April 14, 2022 - in a park

: April 13, 2022 - a friend chillin’ on my leg

: April 12, 2022 - a kind gesture pt. 2

: April 11, 2022 - more signs of spring

: April 10, 2022 - I really wanted to try a ‘burger’ from a burger stand by a supermarket …

: April 9, 2022 - small house of mirrors

: April 8, 2022 - As of this month, my Russian lessons are officially in person!!

: April 7, 2022 - a nice gesture

: April 6, 2022 - moon

: April 5, 2022 - moth?

: April 4, 2022 - sign of spring

: April 3, 2022 - no idea what the event was, but there were a lot of bikers out on the road this …

: April 2, 2022 - giraffe plushie

: April 1, 2022 - hard to show it because of the curvature of the can (and no, this is not an April …

: March 31, 2022 - ‘Household chemistry’ sounds to me like it should be the name of a love …

: March 30, 2022 - sunrise

: March 29, 2022 - weather was super weird today. The temperature at around 1 pm was hot, high 50s F / …

: March 28, 2022 - I remember not long after I started working here, one of my coworkers mentioned a …

: March 27, 2022 - On March 18, I went to a Nawruz/diversity celebration at the American University of …

: March 26, 2022 - went a little crazy at the bazaar today and bought some things I didn’t …

: March 25, 2022 - another snow picture from yesterday

: March 24, 2022 - snow in the morning before it melted later in the day

: March 23, 2022 - snow 😊

: March 22, 2022 - scenery outside Ak-Jol Cafe on the way to Issyk-Kul (taken on Saturday, March 19)

: March 21, 2022 - Happy Nowruz! Nowruz has been a national holiday since Kyrgyzstan’s …

: March 20, 2022 - Lake Issyk-Kul (Ысык көл in Kyrgyz) near Balykchy (Балыкчы), Kyrgyzstan

: March 19, 2022 - Kok Moinok Canyons (Кок Мойнок in Russian, Көк Мойнок in Kyrgyz) near Balykchy …

: March 18, 2022 - American University of Central Asia (AUCA/АУЦА). Since Nowruz is on Monday (March …

: March 17, 2022 - paid for my March Russian lessons today. To pay, I take cash to a pay terminal (a …

: March 16, 2022 - Since I was busy today, I grabbed a premade lunch while doing grocery shopping so …

: March 15, 2022 - another day, another cake. It’s becoming a habit to eat a slice of cake …

: March 14, 2022 - a post dedicated to my keys 🙃 tl;dr - left my apartment keys in a taxi yesterday …

: March 13, 2022 - Burana Tower near Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan

: March 12, 2022 - couldn’t resist buying one of these as they’re currently on sale. The …

: March 11, 2022 - eating cake baked by эже in the столовая at work

: March 10, 2022 - come one, come all, grab a fish from the shelf

: March 9, 2022 - wow, I love name brend clothes!

: March 8, 2022 - low-effort lunch during my holiday: eggplant, rice and arugula (if not for this blog …

: March 7, 2022 - a flower from colleagues for International Women’s Day (March 8th)

: March 6, 2022 - the cutest little onions. Even though I have been understood in the past when trying …

: March 5, 2022 - transiting DXB

: March 4, 2022 - flying

: February 3, 2022 - playing with shadows

: February 2, 2022 - recently finished this book. Found it to be a quick read with some useful …

: February 1, 2022 - a life philosophy I can get behind 😂

: January 31, 2022 - kitchen sink vibes or something

: January 30, 2022 - ramen to-go. It was good but not amazing. Maybe that’s what I get from …

: January 29, 2022 - close-up of a hat I received for Christmas (not handmade, at least by the gifter, …

: January 28, 2022 - tree outside my window

: January 27, 2022 - a salad I made for myself while I was preparing ingredients for another dish

: January 26, 2022 - concluding the ‘Half Price Books series’ with something I actually …

: January 25, 2022 - continuing the series of ‘things I found at Half Price’, here is a …

: January 24, 2022 - Today I learned that Chinese has a 4th tā! tā is a pronoun which means “he, …

: January 23, 2022 - I always imagine that if I created a place where viewers could “buy me a …

: January 22, 2022 - hall

: January 21, 2022 - sun

: January 20, 2022 - abstract or something

: January 19, 2022 - finished And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, so next I read this book: …

: January 18, 2022 - hello there

: January 17, 2022 - lamp

: January 16, 2022 - vegetable calzone (takeout)

: January 15, 2022 - training?

: January 14, 2022 - obviously I know you’re supposed to mix the noodles into the broth…I …

: January 13, 2022 - reading And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. I really enjoyed The Kite …

: January 12, 2022 - near Roanoke, Texas

: January 11, 2022 - Indian food takeout

: January 10, 2022 - San Antonio, Texas

: January 9, 2022 - berries on a plant in my parent’s yard. Based on a conversation with my dad, …

: January 8, 2022 - pizza

: January 7, 2022 - delivery

: January 6, 2022 - room pt. 2

: January 5, 2022 - room

: January 4, 2022 - wish I could have gotten a better picture of the plant, but it was hard since my …

: January 3, 2022 - San Antonio, Texas

: January 2, 2022 - I think people here would call this a ‘daddy longlegs’, but apparently …

: January 1, 2022 - Poinsettia. Not sure if this is common outside of Texas or the southern US …

: December 31, 2021 - my go-to Korean spot in San Antonio, Texas. Seoul Asian Market and Cafe

: December 30, 2021 - morning run. San Antonio, Texas

: December 29, 2021 - a break in the clouds. San Antonio, Texas

: December 28, 2021 - sunset in San Antonio, Texas

: December 27, 2021 - afternoon sky in Blessing, Texas

: December 26, 2021 - sunset near Midfield, Texas

: December 25, 2021 - a chalupa and menudo for Christmas lunch in Texas

: December 24, 2021 - the first avocado I bought and ate in Bishkek

: December 23, 2021 - Dordoi Plaza, a shopping mall in Bishkek

: December 22, 2021 - a couple of my students decorated the whiteboard

: December 21, 2021 - intersection in the afternoon

: December 20, 2021 - evening sky

: December 19, 2021 - wasn’t planning to buy much of anything at the bazaar, not in the least …

: December 18, 2021 - Christmas tree outside a shopping center/strip that I often walk by

: December 17, 2021 - Ala-Too Square in the distance where there is now also a Christmas tree

: December 16, 2021 - I guess this 9 year old student I have loves me. This is the second time …

: December 15, 2021 - decorative arch in Panfilov Park (Панфилов парк)

: December 14, 2021 - a church and a Coca-Cola advertisement with Kyrgyz and Russian

: December 13, 2021 - a social distance marker on an escalator (there was one on every other step on …

: December 12, 2021 - a bowl of plov that I bought from a bazaar 😊

: December 11, 2021 - Bishkek Park Mall lobby

: December 10, 2021 - I have been uploading a lot of pictures of things in shops lately because …

: December 9, 2021 - I don’t know what cracked me up more, the butt cracks on the avocadoes …

: December 8, 2021 - some french toast that I made! I bought bread for the first time since I’ve …

: December 7, 2021 - Christmas tree up at my school. Christmas decorations appeared in stores and …

: December 6, 2021 - possibly a questionable name, but pretty good chips! The only bad thing about …

: December 5, 2021 - people getting on a marshrutka (minibus)

: December 4, 2021 - Two months ago one of my students asked if I had tried oromo. I hadn’t and …

: December 3, 2021 - I really wanted to buy this hat, but in my opinion the shopkeeper was asking too …

: December 2, 2021 - found a channel that is like MTV and I have been noting or taking pictures of the …

: December 1, 2021 - seen in a supermarket called Народный. The sign says ‘diabetic …

: November 30, 2021 - bliny (блины), a kind of Russian pancake

: November 29, 2021 - Russian Orthodox church in southern Bishkek

: November 28, 2021 - bought from the bazaar. It’s a kind of tofu (called 腐竹, according to my …

: November 27, 2021 - 12th Microdistrict, Bishkek

: November 26, 2021 - welcome to Bishkek, one of the most polluted cities in Central Asia!

: November 25, 2021 - statue of Chingiz Aitmatov, one of the most well-known Kyrgyz authors

: November 24, 2021 - caught a kitty mid-sneeze with his friend lurking in the background

: November 23, 2021 - twilight

: November 22, 2021 - do you ever find yourself taking pictures of the same places to capture the …

: November 21, 2021 - a tea that gives me IQ by focusing and exciting me?

: November 20, 2021 - this snack says it is garlic flavored and with cheese sauce. I mistakenly …

: November 19, 2021 - a slightly blurry picture of relatively fresh snow

: November 18, 2021 - I’ve taken on a bit of an unusual job for a teacher at my …

: November 17, 2021 - a funny thing happened on the way from the bazaar I met this friend. He/She …

: November 16, 2021 - snow

: November 15, 2021 - A MegaCom advertisement, one of the largest cellular service providers in …

: November 14, 2021 - some Argan Oil Balm for hair – “If regularly used, the balm slows …

: November 13, 2021 - I keep seeing/hearing this Kyrgyz word ‘үчүн’, and I saw it again at …

: November 12, 2021 - took a picture of this sign for a ‘кымызкана’. кымыз (kumis) is a …

: November 11, 2021 - it’s a little difficult to find Kyrgyz resources for English speakers

: November 10, 2021 - mosque in Issykata

: November 9, 2021 - bus was practically empty due to a holiday (I still had to work, though)

: November 8, 2021 - hot springs pool in Issykata (I was only in this town on Saturday, but I’m …

: November 7, 2021 - mountains near Issykata, Kyrgyzstan

: November 6, 2021 - waterfall near Issykata, Kyrgyzstan

: November 5, 2021 - I love walking around in this weather

: November 4, 2021 - it snowed (for real) last night!

: November 3, 2021 - took a picture of this sign because it includes the possessive grammar I’ve …

: November 2, 2021 - sunrise

: November 1, 2021 - construction at my school

: October 31, 2021 - went to watch a ballet today! It was good, but the story was quite dark. This is …

: October 30, 2021 - Dom (дом) in Russian means ‘building’ or ‘house’, so I …

: October 29, 2021 - took a picture of the sidewalk while waiting for the bus

: October 28, 2021 - bought a pack of semolina at the store because it was on sale and found a recipe …

: October 27, 2021 - taken at an ATM I used. I was confused to see Turkish on the buttons. I …

: October 26, 2021 - pumpkins at the supermarket

: October 25, 2021 - squirrel at Ala-Archa Park, from yesterday’s trip

: October 24, 2021 - Ala-Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan

: October 23, 2021 - more autumn leaves 😊

: October 22, 2021 - ad featuring Kyrgyz Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu Tynybekova. She is a wrestler

: October 21, 2021 - yellow leaves 😊

: October 20, 2021 - a persimmon that I bought without knowing what it was because to be honest …

: October 19, 2021 - one of my students drew a picture of me during class. I think it is a good sketch …

: October 18, 2021 - finally bought warmer boots!

: October 17, 2021 - from yesterday, on the hike to Kel-Kogur Lake

: October 16, 2021 - Kel-Kogur Lake, Kyrgyzstan

: October 15, 2021 - a plant. I think it might be a flower that looks slightly dead since winter is …

: October 14, 2021 - grabbed some pizza with a couple colleagues last night. I bought my own pizza, …

: October 13, 2021 - some food items for sale at Ortosai Bazaar. Of particular interest to me are the …

: October 12, 2021 - some change left on the desk in my classroom

: October 11, 2021 - I took a trolleybus home and thought I was going to miss it because I was …

: October 10, 2021 - am I the only one who thinks the sign on the left looks like “UFO abduction …

: October 9, 2021 - some board games in Russian

: October 8, 2021 - on the search for boots. I have not bought a pair yet

: October 7, 2021 - Tash Rabat shopping center

: October 6, 2021 - first snow of autumn!!

: October 5, 2021 - my classroom. full class today for Teachers Day! (the candies on my desk were a …

: October 4, 2021 - two student interpretations of a ‘carriage’ (the vocabulary words for …

: October 3, 2021 - couldn’t see the mountains very well today

: October 2, 2021 - yummy cake

: October 1, 2021 - the colleague that I ate lagman with earlier this week brought me some apples. She …

: September 30, 2021 - today was the last day of work for one of my colleagues, and he brought pizza …

: September 29, 2021 - lunch with another colleague today. I ordered off the ‘business …

: September 28, 2021 - throwback to the Kol-Tor hike

: September 27, 2021 - ate lagman (noodle dish) with a colleague for lunch at a place called …

: September 26, 2021 - a slightly better picture of Papa John’s

: September 25, 2021 - pomegranate juice that I bought from Orto-Sai Bazaar. I think there is little …

: September 24, 2021 - Globus, one of the largest supermarket chains in Bishkek

: September 23, 2021 - my Russian teacher invited me to go with her to a park where they have karaoke …

: September 22, 2021 - it makes me smile to see things that I recognize here, even if the prices make …

: September 21, 2021 - a picture from the trail to Kol Tor Lake. This trail reminded me of hiking in …

: September 20, 2021 - no interesting pictures from today, so here’s another picture of Kol Tor …

: September 19, 2021 - Kol Tor Lake, Kyrgyzstan

: September 18, 2021 - Baskin Robbins ice cream in the supermarket

: September 17, 2021 - taken at a rest stop in Issyk-Kul province during our trip to Bokonbaev

: September 16, 2021 - mountains in the distance from my school

: September 15, 2021 - it’s hard to see, but there’s a green building to the left of the …

: September 14, 2021 - the small cafeteria at my school. You can see the cook in the picture behind …

: September 13, 2021 - picture from last weekend when I stayed at a yurt camp with a few colleagues. …

: September 12, 2021 - inside the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic (Филармония). This is the building I …

: September 11, 2021 - agreed to meet a local friend for dinner at 8 but she ran late and didn’t …

: September 10, 2021 - sunset

: September 9, 2021 - different flavors of honey for sale outside of a mall

: September 8, 2021 - it’s true, but I think everyone here already knows this

: September 7, 2021 - (long distance) bus station in Bishkek. I didn’t know that there is more …

: September 6, 2021 - bumblebee on a shirt

: September 5, 2021 - spices at Osh Bazaar

: September 4, 2021 - stayed at a yurt camp with some colleagues outside of Bokonbayev, Issyk-Kul. …

: September 3, 2021 - south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul near Bokonbayev (Бөкөнбаев)

: September 2, 2021 - saw Dr. Pepper at a supermarket here in Bishkek?!

: September 1, 2021 - Bulochka (Булочка), a type of bun which has different possible fillings. I have …

: August 31, 2021 - Happy Independence Day! Today marks Kyrgyzstan’s 30th year of independence …

: August 30, 2021 - more berries!

: August 29, 2021 - Lip & Eye Remover: just in case you don’t want your lips or eyes anymore

: August 28, 2021 - new mural on the way to the track where I run (at least I’m pretty sure …

: August 27, 2021 - why does the US only have boring toothpaste flavors? I remember seeing green tea …

: August 26, 2021 - the billboard outside my window changed overnight. Kyrgyzstan’s Independence …

: August 25, 2021 - bought some strawberries today :)

: August 24, 2021 - walked by a store which sells products for pets and they had a parrot hanging out …

: August 23, 2021 - this is maybe my third or fourth time making this red cabbage recipe …

: August 22, 2021 - courtyard area of the school where I teach

: August 21, 2021 - Bishkek Railway Station

: August 20, 2021 - there’s a store near where I live called “Marshalls” which I …

: August 19, 2021 - Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre

: August 18, 2021 - went to a cafe by myself and managed to order a salad (and tea, not pictured) for …

: August 17, 2021 - taken in a public area/park facing south where the mountains are visible in the …

: August 16, 2021 - Always love seeing a familiar face at the supermarket. What’s good, Mr. …

: August 15, 2021 - I’m back in Bishkek, but here’s a picture of some mountains from …

: August 14, 2021 - north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul near Cholpon-Ata

: August 13, 2021 - cloudy and “rainy” here today. I say “rainy” because rainy …

: August 12, 2021 - Non-dairy milk options here are tasty but expensive, so I decided I needed to find …

: August 11, 2021 - a local teacher invited me to go on a walk with her, and then we had dinner …

: August 10, 2021 - Ataturk Park where there is a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the …

: August 9, 2021 - seen from afar during my walk today—a bride in her wedding dress having pictures …

: August 8, 2021 - Kalpaks (колпак, a white traditional Kyrgyz hat for men) for sale in a supermarket

: August 7, 2021 - because is it really a post-Soviet city without a statue of Lenin?

: August 6, 2021 - when you go to a cafe because you think it will have better wi-fi than your …

: August 5, 2021 - outside the clinic where I had to take a health test for my work visa

: August 4, 2021 - park on the way to the track where I have been running

: August 3, 2021 - lady setting up a Shoro stand (Shoro is a Kyrgyz company which manufactures local …

: August 2, 2021 - Today’s lunch! There is a small cafeteria on the school grounds where an …

: August 1, 2021 - one of the classrooms at my school. The schedule originally had me in this …

: July 31, 2021 - went running this morning on an old track nearby! I feel that the picture …

: July 30, 2021 - went to a bookstore and saw some Stephen King (Стивен Кинг) books

: July 29, 2021 - saw this artwork painted on a fence while walking around Bishkek. I don’t know …

: July 28, 2021 - a package of qurut (курут) that I saw in a supermarket. I had this snack before …

: July 27, 2021 - A collection of local drinks produced by the Kyrgyz company Shoro (Шоро) (you can go …

: July 26, 2021 - walking around in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

: July 25, 2021 - before landing at IST

: July 24, 2021 - before landing at IAH

: July 6, 2021 - shortly after departing MSO

: July 5, 2021 - Skalkaho Falls near Hamilton, Montana

: July 4, 2021 - Daly Mansion near Hamilton, Montana

: July 3, 2021 - near Victor, Montana

: July 2, 2021 - Blodgett Overlook on the Blodgett Overlook Trail, near Hamilton, Montana

: July 1, 2021 - rainy day near Hamilton, Montana

: June 30, 2021 - Bitterroot River near Hamilton, Montana

: June 29, 2021 - flying out of DFW