01
Time is relative
“A three-hour drive” can mean three. Or five. Or one extra high-mountain storm. Don't call it a delay. It's Kyrgyzstan.
02
A horse is not an attraction
It's transport, culture and, after a few hours, a very personal relationship between you and your thighs. Long trousers. Comfortable shoes. Leave the fancy outfits at home.
03
A yurt redefines luxury
No Wi-Fi, often no signal, but a view of mountains and a sky you simply don't have at home. On the first evening you look for internet. By the second, you don't even know where your phone is.
04
Tea is never just tea
When someone invites you for tea, expect tea, bread, jam, sweets, more tea and probably dinner. And when you say you can't eat any more, you'll get another dish.
05
You have to try kymyz
Fermented mare's milk. Taste-wise, it's exactly the moment your brain expects milk and reality has another plan. Definitely try it at least once
06
Ask first, then shoot
Kyrgyzstan is extremely photogenic, but people are not decoration. One question before the photo goes a long way.
07
Learn a few words
Salam – hello. Rakhmat – thank you. Your pronunciation doesn't have to be perfect. Effort works better than Google Translate.
08
Pack for every season
Sun, wind, rain, cold. Ideally all in one afternoon. Layers, SPF, sunglasses, a jacket, a power bank, a head torch. And optimism. It won't keep you warm, but it helps.
