On one of my short layovers in Bishkek I withdrew too much money out of the ATM, so I was on the look out to spend it somewhere. Luis, one of my colleagues, and I took a cab to the Osh Market but did not find much we wanted.
With just one day left in Bishkek we did not need to buy any food, but this would have been the perfect place for it. One can find here fresh spices, fruits, vegetables, sweets and breads.
Last time here, in the beginning of September, people selling all kinds of berries in big buckets were aligned even outside, before getting to the bazaar’s gate.
This last time I took the time and put in the effort of looking at a map of the city and learning how to get there by public transportation (mashrutca). The people at the hotel’s front desk gave me the information needed and wrote for me in Russian the names of the destinations, so I could ask directions or compare writings on the mashrutca’s window signs. The whole trip there was not too bad and a challenge I enjoyed.
Last time, with Luis, we took the cab there and coming back was funny. Not all cab drivers knew the hotel or understood us. When they did, they were asking too much money for the ride, as they often do everywhere with foreigners. We took a break away from them and in the end we found one that charged us a decent price. He took us to the hotel and I had a blast listening to him and Luis telling each other stories. Each in his own language, neither understanding one single world the other said. It was funny to me and I enjoyed the ride, relishing in their conversation taking place with a childlike innocence. I realized later that children never have such language problems either. They just talk to each other anyway, engaged by tone and intent. Sweet people, Luis and our driver. We often do this anyway, as adults. We act like listening but following a different train of thought while our interlocutor talks. We also sometimes blindly follow others, not paying attention to the way we go.
One important thing to know in Bishkek is that the sidewalks are awfully bad. Better watch your feet as one could have a bad fall. Trust me, a hospital here is not a place you want to be in.
I now know that the Hyatt Regency, where we used to stay, is closer to the Osh Bazaar than the Jannat Regency, where we have stayed lately, is. A mashrutca must have been easy to take too. Yet, at the time I did not consult a map. I now love mashrutcas and interacting with people in Kyrgyzstan. Unfortunately I can only communicate in English. Yet, I found a few young people that spoke English and were willing to help. They love to practice the language if opportunity comes their way.
