ARRIVING IN OSH FROM a few weeks in Tajikistan was like being dropped into Manhattan. I imagine that is how the merchants and mercanaries felt when they crossed the roof of the world 1000 years ago, to take in the bazaars and chaikhana of this friendly city.
Just over the 4282 Kyzyl Art Pass border crossing, we stopped for lunch, which was incredibly good, especially for where we were.
It was Sunday. He's allowed to have a few drinks.
The city of Osh was 3 spectaculars hours from the border.
Osh is an ancient city on the Silk Roads, but with modern unversities and dress codes at their clubs.
It was Kyrgyz wedding season. We had already attened a Tajik wedding in Uzbekistan, and saw many wedding parties here as well.
Most Kyrgyz are nominally Muslim, but like many central Asian nomads, love their vodka.
The happy couple on their big day.
Bridesmaids all dolled up.
In the sprawling Osh bazaar, every last part is removed for recycling and resale.
Staples of the silk roads.
A woman sells fried fruits and nuts (delicious) from a shipping container converted to a stall in the bazaar.
Mosaic street art gets a modern touch up.
Perhaps we caught it on a quiet day, but despite its size, I found the Osh bazaar to be a little flat.
An ATM machine swallowed my card, forcing us to miss the 12 hour taxi/bus ride, and fly to the capital. It as the same price.
More bridemaid shots. Maybe that is why I liked Osh? The food was good, and so was the bazaar, too.