Back to Bishkek

Tuesday morning (08.10.2019) welcomes us with cloudy weather, and the sun doesn't manage to break through in the morning either. When we start the descent along Ala Archa around noon, it occasionally appears. On our way back to civilization, we decide to take a hiking trail on the other side of the river, which seemed easier to walk. However, that only applies to the upper section of the path, and we still have to climb or look for the way on the east bank from time to time. So it takes us about three hours to descend the approximately 12 km to the parking lot at Ala Archa Hotel. We are caught in a short rain shower along the way, and it noticeably cools down. When we arrive at Schrotti's, it's time for a hot drink and a short break before we head to Bishkek. We have booked again at the Dos Guesthouse and are looking forward to the comfortable warm beds. On the way to the accommodation, we add an insulation mat to Markus' equipment, buy a small item, and spend the evening cooking soup in the hostel kitchen while it continues to rain outside.

On Wednesday, Markus takes a nap after breakfast. Our hiking trip was exhausting. Meanwhile, I take a walk with Rango. We stroll through a large park to the north and then return to the hostel in a large loop counterclockwise. On the way, I can find a shoemaker who is willing to repair my hiking shoes. The tour in Ala Archa National Park was the first major one in these shoes, and it was enough to cause the soles to detach from the rest of the shoes. I can pick up the boots in two days; the man is busy. In the afternoon, we have a coffee at the hostel and then go back to the city. We want to go to Issyk Kul soon and get some fishing gear. Unfortunately, we don't find anything in that regard on our stroll, but we are approached by Nasiba on our way back home. The young woman recently returned from Germany and is visibly happy to be able to practice her German skills. We spontaneously invite the girl to dinner at the hostel and spend the evening in very pleasant company.

After breakfast at the hostel, on Thursday morning (October 10, 2019), we head back to the city. Nasiba had a tip the night before for where we can buy fishing gear at a good price. We buy the basic equipment and return to the Dos Guesthouse. Here we have time for a coffee and some pastries before we set off again. In addition to the fishing gear tip, we also received an invitation to a film afternoon at the Goethe Institute the night before. Unfortunately, the provided start time was not quite correct, so we interrupt the ongoing screening and expose the stereotype of German punctuality as such. Afterwards, we participate in a small group conversation and also talk to the German teacher. The young man has Uzbek and East German roots and grew up in Bavaria near Würzburg. According to his own statement, his loyalty to the Federal Republic of Germany as well as his good German and Russian language skills qualify him for the job. In the evening, we go back to the hostel via 'Safe the Ale' and 'Steinbräu'. The evening ends with bread and some reheated stew.