“On the road again” -to Bishkek

Friends and readers, I haven’t really had much to post about lately. Over the past 2 years this blog has been mostly about my 2017 trip to Central Asia, what I learned there, and my perspectives on what I learned after returning.

It’s the same cycle. Every trip I’ve taken I’ve gone through the same mental process that I mentioned above. I’ve only started sharing through this blog a couple of years ago.

Well, I guess I haven’t had enough of Central Asia because I am going back. I had the freedom of unemployment on my last trip, but have a job to return to this time. The feeling is one that is a bit hindering, but also one of a bit more security (just a little bit 😛 ). The outline of my trip is

Click link for a nice animated version from “pictramaps”.

In short, The first real stop is in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where I’ve arranged a “home stay” with a family for one night. From Bishkek, I’ll catch a short flight to the city of Osh, 45 min near the Tajik border where I’ll spend a week volunteering in the village of Borbash (which you can barely find on a map!). I’ll be helping with English lessons and helping in other ways in the rural community. I feel very lucky to have this chance to experience authentic Kyrgz life!

Through the power of the internet, I was able to arrange short visits with the Kyrgyz Wrestling Federation, and with a professor at the American University of Central Asia (also in Bishkek). Ulan was a 2004 Olympian and up until now we have been communicating through “google translate!” I’m hoping to find someone to help translate when I visit their practice.

I also managed a visit with a professor from American University of Central Asia. Professor Baker is also from the San Francisco Bay Area!

He is a history professor and I’m hoping to discuss how the Central Asian nations have progressed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yes, that type of thing interests me 🙂
What a small crazy world it is, as I’m flying half way around the world and meeting someone from my home turf. Adding to the craziness I want to mention the last time I was in Kyrgyzstan on a layover I also met someone in the airport line from Berkeley, CA!

I’ll be headed to Kazakhstan to visit the Aral Sea, which I have blogged about previously. Then its on to Southeast Asia, where I have been wanting to visit some friends for several years now.

Well, that’s a quick look ahead. I leave San Francisco less than 24 hours from now and wanted to get this post up, even though I have far more important things to prepare 😛

I wanted to include a special thanks to My friend and San Francisco-Osh transplant Uri for connecting me with his friends for advice/emergency when in Kyrgyzstan. Thanks Uri!

Stay tuned, share, and subscribe!

This is the Rover signing out…

[jetpack_subscription_form]