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Landlady from Hell

By on August 15, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

There is no doubt that I truly despised my landlady in Bishkek. Landlord was not so bad, but ever since his putting the body in the freezer… Read more day he was few and far between. Landlady, on the other hand, made her presence quite known. I found her quite annoying!
Even before I officially lived in the apartment, she got on

August 15, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 6 }

Bizarre Bazaar Finds

By on August 8, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

Walmart, McDonald’s, and Stop n Shop’s do not exist here (although Narodnie is an excellent little grocery store) in K-Stan. So, when I want to buy something not of designer quality, I head to the bazaar – a place I love, a place I hate… a place I simply love to hate!
Shopping at the bazaar used to be an… Read more

August 8, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 5 }

Lake Issyk-Kul

By on July 19, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

If you’re the least bit familiar with the country of Kyrgyzstan, then you most likely know a little bit about the infamous Lake Issyk-Kul. I started hearing stories back in May of the lake’s power, especially in the months of July and August when the Bishkek heat can be almost unbearable (as I am currently finding out now!).
What they… Read more

July 19, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 9 }

Wow, it has been a while!

By on July 10, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

Ok, so peeps, my blog has been blocked here in the great world of Central Asia. I finally found a way to route my browser so it doesn’t recognize where I’m coming from. Oh, man, I have so many great stories to share with all you readers, so sit tight!
heart sign,
Brooke… Read more

July 10, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 5 }

Things that make you go hmm…

By on May 24, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

I feel like I’ve gotten a pretty solid, normal routine down in Bishkek with classes, friends, and family dinners. But, really, when I stop and think about it, life isn’t so normal here. I’ve put together a list of a few weird occurences that are bound to leave someone scratching their head. Enjoy!
When animals attack.… Read more This was a weird

May 24, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }

Thirty days of cold showers in the dark.

By on May 20, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

After going days without showering in Guatemala because the water was too cold, I knew it was going to be bad when I found out that Bishkek turns the hot water off in the entire city for an entire 30 days! I thought it was some sort of joke when another student said he heard this, but no, it was… Read more

May 20, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 3 }

Marshrutka Mayhem

By on May 7, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

The marshrutka is the main mode of public transport here in Bishkek, and like a bad metal concert in Peoria, it’s cheap, hot, overcrowded, and sometimes filled with drunk people. Mentioned in earlier Bishkek posts, I despise these little beasts, and yet often find myself stamping my foot for the next one to come. In that sense, I guess they… Read more

May 7, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 10 }

Meet the family.

By on May 1, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

I bet you have been wondering what life with my Kyrgyz family is like, right? I have purposely put off talking a lot about this because for the first week and a half, my host dad was away for work. Well, he finally arrived back home this past weekend and home life has changed drastically – not necessarily for the… Read more

May 1, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 16 }

Food, Vodka, and More Vodka

By on April 27, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Language Learning, Soviet Travel

One of the perks of being involved with a language school is meeting all the interesting people that come and go. We have a nice little community of people to hang out with, which also opens the door for meeting other Kyrgyz families. This week, Ryan and I were invited over to Jamie’s host family’s “mansion” for a typical dinner… Read more

April 27, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 2 }

Feeling great in Bishkek.

By on April 25, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

Bishkek is a happy, happy place. It is the perfect combination of big and small city – much like Peoria on a much more interesting level. After living here for almost 3 weeks, it still almost seems like a dream. When am I going to get bored? When am I going to be ready to move on? Now, I have… Read more

April 25, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 6 }