One of the perks of being involved with a language school is meeting all the interesting people that come and go. We have a nice little community of people to hang out with, which also opens the door for meeting other Kyrgyz families. This week, Ryan and I were invited over to Jamie’s host family’s “mansion” for a typical dinner involving food, vodka, food, and much more vodka.

The Kyrgyz people have a way of dealing with alcohol that I am not too familiar with from growing up in the States. They think of any excuse for toasting another shot of vodka, and if your glass is empty, it will be filled before you know it. On top of the shots, they mix it up with juices, sodas, and beer! Did they not learn that mixing leaves you sick?

Just when you think you can’t possibly eat another bite, they bring out another plate of Manti. And, when you try to refuse the huge pile of food, they put it on your plate anyways. At least I enjoy eating until I’m too full to move, or else the evening could have turned for the worst. Overall, it was a great time, and here are the pictures to prove it.

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Dinner lasted a very long time. Ryan and I took a taxi back to our neighborhood (we live about 5 minutes away). After parting in the late, dark, and stormy evening, I realized I was locked out of the apartment building and had left my cell phone inside. I had a slight panic attack at first, but then proceeded to pound on the door until my host mom realized it was me and let me in, laughing the whole time because I drank too much vodka. What a night!

PS – Everyone thought I was about 17. How can I be turning 25 in a month and still be confused for 17?!

Bishkek is chock full of surprises! When I planned this trip a few months back, I had no idea how truly interesting this city would be. From learning Russian to jam-packed marshrutka rides, my weekdays are pretty much booked, but the weekends tell a whole different story.

Last weekend I was enticed into attending a local rock concert. Generally into a good show, I tagged along only to be reminded of the days of my youth (not too long ago I guess) and consumed by thoughts of the 1980’s Soviet Union. Locals, sporting mullets and carrying carafes of vodka, rocked out to Russian metal, punk, and thanks to Anthony’s band, a little bit of the Oldies.

The scene was more than surreal. To enter, you walk down a long corridor covered in graffiti until you pass through the bomb-proof 12-inch thick door. There you arrive in a place where the foreigners get second looks and no one is without a vodka shot. Having a rock show in an old bomb shelter – I cannot think of any cooler place. I became green with envy, yet full of inspiration. Who knows… Maybe I’ll be playing a show there soon! If only I had a guitar with me.

I took a short video of the event so you could take a look. Enjoy!