We enjoyed an easy hike in the morning for a couple of hours to a vantage point of the Tien Shan range and local villages. We walked from our guest stay. It was beautiful. Wild marijuana grows here, which is illegal for them to use. It was everywhere. I included a photo with me sitting in it. No, we did not harvest some. 😂
The splendid views, fresh air, and exercise were invigorating.
We showered and prepared for our next adventure, driving to Sond-Kol Lake. We ate lunch at a type of cafeteria stop where you could choose from a variety. I am loving all of the fresh vegetable options and got some raw and roasted options, along with a chicken meatball.
We stopped at some vantage points for photos, such as a river gorge and reservoir on the way to the lake. At one point at the top of a windy pass, we were at almost 12,000 feet.
These awesome ladies
We arrived at the yurt camp. These yurts are a big part of nomadic culture of Central Asia. We will be seeing how they are constructed in a couple of days.
This cool swing! Tina playing with the kids.
We stayed on what felt like the top of the world at a yurt camp. It was chilly at night and in the morning. The food was lovingly prepared by a young mother with darling little children. We enjoyed meat dumplings, bread, and a delicious red lentil soup. A beautiful sunset sent us to sleep
We slept in the yurts warmed with heavy blankets and small coal stoves. I was a semi restless sleeper, but still was good to ride horses I’m the morning.
7/11
We awoke and enjoyed a light breakfast and then horseback riding. While the horses are understandably less spirited for tourists, it still felt fantastic to go for a stroll on them in a gorgeous landscape for an hour. Horses come from this part of the world and a huge part of the historical trade and culture. My horse wanted to drink from the lake, which I was happy to oblige, and I kept pinching myself at the opportunity to experience such a moment on this vast space on such a pristine morning.
We drove back the way we came, a very bumpy three hour drive, and were hosted for lunch with a Kyrgyz family who had a room for us which is apparently a very commonly Soviet era decorated space with the carpet on the wall and the cabinetry. There was what looked liked a WWII Soviet officer cap on top of the cabinet.
The women in this family make felt carpets and other textiles in the traditional way all by hand, and they gave us an hour presentation on how this is done. I took home something they had made.
They clean and chop the wool, then roll it after pouring boiling water over it and dance as they press it. The woman danced some traditional dance moves that all have to do with the lifestyle of the Kyrgyz culture.
This woman was the best dancer and so sweet to us.
We drove on to Tamga Village, a long bumpy ride because of the road construction along the giant Isakool Lake. The entire road for miles was ripped up.
We stayed at a guest house of a Russian couple. They have created a gorgeous gardens and spaces. The rooms do feel very different in design and feel like they are right out of the Cold War era. But they were cozy, and the borscht for dinner was incredible. Melanie (from Brooklyn, NY) and I paid to experience the Russian bath they built (steam sauna) and took turns in the cold plunge pool outside. So invigorating! A wonderful memory.
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