Bishkek we love you! Such a beautiful small and cozy country capital you are! It reminded me a little bit of my hometown the city of Biel in Switzerland. The first impression is not so good: a few big, ugly, rundown industrial buildings, concrete apartment blocks and some marble-faced government buildings in a damp 70ies style. But aside of these beauty spots the city is far from boring and it seems to have just awakened after a long sleep and is now out in the bright sun for all to see. Bishkek has wide streets flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels carrying fresh mountain water. Innumerable trees along the streets provide shade and separate the cars lanes from broad pedestrian walkways, children playgrounds and cycling paths.
In Bishkek everyone seems busy and innovative in the quest for making a living. The lovely family running our B&B for example also runs an Italian bakery and a car repair shop. It seems people do not fear new ventures and generally operate with a "have a go attitude'. That also includes cloths. The summer fashion must have arrived just a while ago and while lunching on Durum Kebabs we watch the chic business ladies pass by on the alley ways. The elder ladies, "big mamas", wear light skirts with flower motives - "Voegele Mode" at its best. We also witnessed many serious fashion crimes, topping even the best we had previously encountered in SE Asian cities. We see funny combinations of headscarves and super short skirts or an occasional belly bottom free top. High healed stilettos are an absolute must even if they make walking almost impossible. In the late evening hours everybody is out in the streets lined by cafes and stylish restaurants. They are backed up by rows and rows of Russian techno blasting night clubs where you can party on until the morning hours.
We didn't go and party but enjoyed fantastic Syrian food at a posh outdoor restaurant and exchanged travel stories with Chriggi and Koebi, an adventurous couple from Safneren closed to Biel who we met near Lake Song-Kol. Now traveling in a Landcruiser they have traveled the world on a motorbike 20 years ago and had some funny tales to share with us.
We didn't go and party but enjoyed fantastic Syrian food at a posh outdoor restaurant and exchanged travel stories with Chriggi and Koebi, an adventurous couple from Safneren closed to Biel who we met near Lake Song-Kol. Now traveling in a Landcruiser they have traveled the world on a motorbike 20 years ago and had some funny tales to share with us.
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