Finally back to Bishkek and use of a computer

WoW!!!
Outside of Bishket no internet access. But finally back after a wonderful journey to Rakhat's home town of Naryn and area called Isskyk Kul,where the weather and vegetation is like in the mountains of Kokee.
It took nearly 6 hours by taxi to get to Naryn. Kyrgyzstan is 90% mountains. Just gorgeous!!!!!
Some white capped with snow and always mountains,meadows, and rushing streams and rivers.
At one point we traveled pass huge container trucks. Trucks from China following the Old Silk Road. We were about 200 miles from China.

We arrived in Naryn about 5-6pm. Although I was a bit tired I could not resist going for a walk into the mountains behind Rakhat's home. Rakhat, his mom, 12year old brother Danielle and I climbed the mountain trail along a running stream. I felt like Heidi. Goats and sheep walked along the mountain side. An elderly couple were at their mountain home to tend them. Danielle climbs the mountains like the herd. He dashed over the stream and rocks to help redirect the live stock when he noticed they were going in the wrong direction. Mother found some berries and plants used for medicial purposes. The air was fresh and the sun was setting between two mountains. It was lonely. We spent about an hour enjoying to walk and just being there. Rakhat said the water was clean and pure,but I was afraid being warned to only drink boiled,or bottled water.
In Naryn we visited Rakhat's Turkish Boys' School and met the new principal who greeted us warmly and offered us special Turkish coffee. After a tour of the school which was being repainted and upgraded we went outside and found 4 of Rakhat's classmates waiting for us with more refreshments. All his friends are now enrolled in universities in Bishket,but were back in Naryn to meet Rakhat's Hawaii mother. They spoke English amazingly well. They all learned English in high school,but have little opportunity to speak it.

Next day they arranged a picnic in the mountain,their favorite retreat from boarding high school.
They brought watermellon,honey dew,and drinks which they cooled in the mountain stream. Rakhat's mother brought fresh cucumber/tomato salad, delicious round bread,cookies, and chai to add to the meal. It was so nice. The boys took me on a walk into the woods.There were places they had to carry me over the stream. I asked them to sing for me and they burst into song. There were only 18 in their class and so became very close and enjoyed singing together.

Next day we headed for another mountain/lake where we were invited to have a meal in a yurt or Bozo. I taught Rakhat, his mom and brother Gi Gong and we climbed a mountain and took a nap on the top. We even went horseback riding before leaving to go home.

Next day we packed to travel to another area called Issyk Kul or "hot" lake because the lake never freezes even though there are snow capped mountains everywhere. It is a huge lake and a tourist resort for people from neighboring countries as well as Kygyz people. I met several from Bishket while swimming in the lake. Here we stayed four nights with Rakhat's aunty,sister to his father. Father stayed home to watch the house. But this time 6yrs old Byjohn also came along. I learned that it has been nearly 5 years since they visited with these relatives. They had much to talk about and catch up. Later, when they prepared a huge meal from the sheep they had slaughtered and skined,etc especially for me I learned that the host was mayor of this district. He had also invited his older brother and two sons from Bishket to stay in his big house.
We had some very interesting conversations with Rakhat as translator and interpreter.

Later in the T.V. room I got a chance to converse with the boys who are about the same age as Rakhat. The mayor also has two sons Rakhat and Sultan's age. Sultan, Rakhat's classmate, also came along on this trip so I used him as translator. Six boys and me. At discos they dance to American/Russian music and they also like hip hop. In this group only Sultan and Rakhat to could speak English well. They attended public high school. Earlier Rakhat mentioned that many students from public high schools did not like the kids from the Turkish Private High School. They felt that the private high school boys felt they were better. Whether they liked it or not kids in private school had a big advantage over kids in public schools everywhere. It was very obvious when we visited his school. They have better school materials,smaller classes,and they are a select group. Only those who can afford it or were superior and able to get scholarships could attend private school.
We returned to Bishket on Friday so we could arrange for our tickets to Turkey with Turkish Airlines.
Yesterday one of Rakhats former teachers arranged to have us stay at the boys dornmitory for a very low cost at a new two year old building. We can stay there until Aug. 24. The university students will be returning to the dorm on the 25th. We are very fortunate. We have confirmed reservations to fly to Istanbul on the 27th,and watlisted for Tuesday Aug. 21th.

We are getting some help from Rakhat's Turkish friends for places to stay in Turkey.
Yesterday I was invited to Rakhat's grandparents (his mother's parents)in the outskirts of Bishket. Both are doctors. They have a very nice big house. They expressed their appreciation for my having Rakhat in my home in Hawaii. They didn't want Rakhat to go just as they are fearful of his going to Turkey. They are afraid something might happen to him and he will not return. They raised Karkat,Rakhat's older brother,because Rakhat was a 7 month 4 lbls premature baby and gave his mother a hard time. Rakhat tends to be asmathic like his grandmother.

It has been just an amazing journey. I have enjoyed every minute of it. I thank God for making this all possible. Soon Rakhat and I will be in Turkey. There is so much to see and do there.
I expect to be in Greece when Rakhat leaves to return to Bishkek.

Until next time Aloha,Mahalo,& Malama Pono.
Joanne