| Chances are that you probably do not know much | | | | be tested by any visitor, but with caution. Kumiz is |
| about a Central Asian country called Kyrgyzstan. Yes, | | | | considered the national drink of Kyrgyzstan by locals, |
| it is a real country, and that is how you spell the | | | | and one might be surprised to learn it is actually |
| name despite the lack of vowels present. Even if you | | | | fermented mare's milk. Other strange drinks, such as |
| have pondered the idea of Kyrgyzstan travel, there | | | | shoro and tan are served on street corners around |
| is a still a chance you are scouring the internet in | | | | Bishkek and other cities. As with any former Soviet |
| search for more travel details. And, it is not a surprise | | | | country, vodka and beer are also widely distributed. |
| since it was until recent times one of the shut away | | | | 3. Kyrgyzstan Language - What do they speak? |
| former Soviet Republics. | | | | There are two official languages of Kyrgyzstan, |
| 1. Kyrgyzstan Travel - Is it safe? | | | | which are both Russian and Kyrgyz. These languages |
| As with any developing country, there is certainly the | | | | are both written in the Cyrillic alphabet, so if planning |
| possibility for crime-related activities to occur. The | | | | on some Kyrgyzstan travel it is always a good idea |
| fact is that anywhere you travel or live can have a | | | | to brush up on the letters. In the larger cities, it is |
| risk in one way or another. Given that, I would have | | | | possible to find people who speak basic English or |
| to say that the most common threat would be petty | | | | paid translators, but outside Bishkek and Osh are |
| theft and pick pocketing, not to mention the | | | | hard to come by. |
| corruption of police and government officials. If you | | | | 4. Kyrgyzstan Transportation - How will I travel? |
| are a foreign male, you are especially at risk for | | | | The Kyrgyzstan transportation system is a far cry |
| exploitation by corrupt police officials expecting to | | | | from Western standards. Dirt roads are prevalent |
| catch you without your passport on you in order to | | | | outside of the main city roads in the larger cities, and |
| gain whatever cash they can. | | | | travel from one location to the next may contain |
| Overall, I would personally say that it is quite safe to | | | | dangerous, lengthy mountain passes. |
| travel there, even as a solo female. I felt less | | | | Cars, taxis and marshrutkas populate city streets. |
| threatened walking around in Kyrgyzstan than I did in | | | | Normally just standing on the side of the road with a |
| many American cities. | | | | hand out will result in a local stopping to barter a fee. |
| 2. Kyrgyzstan Food and Drink - What do they eat? | | | | Marshrutkas are vans that run on a certain course |
| Kyrgyzstan food encompasses a wide variety of | | | | and act like a city bus system. There are even |
| cultural dishes, combining Turkish, Chinese, Korean, | | | | marshrutkas that can cheaply take you from one city |
| Russian and the native Kyrgyz foods to name a few. | | | | to the next. |
| There is generally a flavor to meet any traveler's | | | | 5. Kyrgyzstan Accommodation - Where will I sleep? |
| needs, except for those craving Mexican, which is | | | | Kyrgyzstan accommodation includes a wide variety |
| unfortunate for the American tourist. | | | | of interesting options from standard hotels to yurts. |
| Expect to eat a large amount of meet with sheep | | | | Bishkek offers hotels of all quality levels, as well as |
| being quite popular, and definitely expect to be | | | | guest houses. Outside of the main cities, however, |
| served with the portions people in Western countries | | | | travel may result in homestays or sleeping in yurts, |
| are less likely to eat. Meat is generally quite fatty and | | | | which are actually teepee-like domes built for easy |
| salads are usually topped with mayonnaise, which is a | | | | transport by the nomadic Kyrgyz. |
| popular condiment for locals. McDonald's and other | | | | Hopefully this article provides some interesting insights |
| Western fast food joints are not to be found in | | | | into a wonderful culture that is widely unknown, but |
| Kyrgyzstan. | | | | welcoming all the same. |
| Kyrgyzstan has some strange beverages that should | | | | |