-> The apartment

Right in the heart of Bishkek, on the somewhat notorious Mossoviet junction, me and some German friends inhabited a nice 2-bedroom flat overlooking the amazingly green capital.

-> In the back of the building...

...Lenin is greeting. Without a name plate - incognito - he is pointing towards the American University Central Asia. Maybe he is trying to raise attention at the presence of the class-enemy-sponsored institution? Simon's daughter thinks that he is actually waiting for someone to pick him up, like an eternal hitchhiker. Have your own guess.

Once being placed in front of the National History Museum, where now a bewinged angel-like statue has taken his place - Lenin had been moved to the inglorious back of the building. However, he is still here, in contrast to many other ex-socialist countries, where everything reminiscent of the pre-1990 days has been regardlessly demolished. Lenin's fellow co-'ideologists', Marx and Engels also still have their memorials in Bishkek, though, without a name plate, too. In a society, where 50% of the people live on less than $200 a year, some might feel nostalgic remembering the old days - where at least care was taken for the basic necessities, education was free, etc.

-> The refuge

Only some 30 miles south of Bishkek, you find refuge in the valley of Ala-Arca. The place reminded me of the Swiss Alps, even though you would not find any wild horses in the heart of Europe.

-> The refuge #2

Issyk-Kul, one of the most prominent holiday destinations during the times of the Soviet Union, is regaining reputation as the region's swimming pool. The optical illusion is stunning: The lake would rather look like a sea, if there weren't these snow-capped 4000m-something mountains on the edge of the water.

> Watch after your cows

This little boy had 7 cows to look after. The water in Issyk-Kul is not too salty, making it a convenient place to bring herds of cattle to.