Out and About

Last week I was able to go for a drive into the mountains south of where I am staying. I didn't drive, but I enjoyed the ride greatly. It was a gorgeous day - about 60 degrees with sunny skies. As we drove higher and higher into the mountains, it got a little cooler and snow became deeper. A lot of the road near the top of the mountains were covered with snow and melting slush. Before that, the roads were swimming in mud. 

country road

 My pictures don't even begin to do the sight justice. I love seeing rolling green and brown hills set against a backdrop of snow capped mountains, with a blue sky above. Our Creator is an amazing artist!!

mud slide/waterfall

 On the way back down the hill, we slid and fishtailed a little. Seems we weren't the only ones who had problems with the slickery (yes, I did mean to say slickery) roads. We passed a vehicle that had slid off the road. They stopped us and asked for help. Neither of us had a tow strap, but they had a piece of wire. I didn't think it would work; it wasn't very thick wire. But they hooked the vehicles together and we started pulled. Snap! The guy tied a knot in the wire and refastened it to our trailer hitch. Yes, a knot in the wire. We tried again. The car started moving forward, but not back onto the road, merely along side it. Then it started tipping a bit. Mr. Allen said, "if they go over, we're going with them...." At one point, I really thought they were going to roll down the hill. Pretty sure my heart stopped for a second or two. But somehow we pulled them out of the ditch and back onto the road..... all with a piece of wire that had a knot in it!!!! Yep, that's the way it's done here. :) 

 Today I got the chance to go into the city to look around a bit. Thankfully we had a little bit of blue sky, which is always nice. Missed the changing of the guards at the City Square, but got a video of the soldiers marching into the building. It doesn't seem like a very practical way of marching, but sure looks cool! 

Kyrgyz flag

 Just a couple years ago, the country had a revolution. This monument shows how they (supposedly) got rid of the bad and kept the good in the government. There are two main parties constantly vying for control, each accuse the other of being corrupt. And they're both right. 

Revolution Monument

national hero - Manas

Bishkek's "Big Ben" :p