On the evening of August 29th, I decided to take a bit of a walk around the city, with the goal of seeing what was going on the main square during the leadup to Independence Day on the 31st. The weather was perfect for a stroll and I enjoyed spending some time just snapping photos. As I went through the park, I grabbed the chance to have some ice cream (mint chocolate chip, obviously) and got to see how people spend a normal summer Sunday evening in Bishkek. There were lots of areas for kids, and lots of kids using those areas. In general, it seems like a city with a lot of youth in it, which is sort of refreshing. The main square, which had been pretty empty a week ago, was busy now in the days prior to Independence Day – they have a big concert stage set up, and lots of vendors and people of that sort were there even after 9 at night. I am very excited to see how they celebrate tomorrow.
Today on the 30th, I had the opportunity to go with my fellow Americans to dinner with the overall director of the London School. We ended up at an excellent traditional-style Kyrgyz restaurant where we got these interesting unsweetened fried dough balls, a shepherd’s pie-type thing that I really wish I got the name of, and some Kazan Kebab that tasted more middle-eastern than anything. The conversation with the director was lovely – she had actually been to Portland to learn how being in a homestay in a foreign country feels and talked a lot about how much she liked it.
I also received a request for some photos of my living space, so here you go: (from top to bottom, left to right) the main entry area into the apartment, behind which you can see the living room area and a bedroom; some of the art on the wall that leads to the kitchen and living spaces in the back; and then my room – including the new dresser that I helped get out of another apartment, strap to the top of a Zhiguli, and lug up and down several several stairs, the effects of which I still feel quite acutely – with its view out the window at the mountains just outside the city.
Nate in Bishkek 2021 
I LOVE reading your blog. Keep it coming! Love from your NaNa.
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