15 Jun 11: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

I like the way the Kyrgyz people position themselves in relation with all their neighbours. They feel they are the elder brothers to the Kazakhs, Uzbeks and even the Chinese. Their history goes deeply into the past linking Scythians to Mongols, West and East. When they start speak about Manas, their steppes Iliad, they become passionate and recite poems to the glory of the first khan Manas. It is one of the most national binding tradition.

We had dinner in a traditional place last evening with passionate poems from the Architects President Bektashov. They would have killed a horse for dinner if we were a greater number for dinner. Their hospitality knows no limits.