Moutain Retreat

Tanya and I got a chance to get away to the mountains! It was wonderful!! Through when we were leaving our house, it had just become cloudy and very windy and began to rain, and our taxi driver asked us if we really wanted to go today! And of course we did. It was really the only time for me to get away for a little while. The following week was the start of a 4 week concentrated English course that I would be helping with. Anyways, back to the mountains…..it is amazingly beautiful! We got to go hiking and relax and after the first day, we were the only ones staying at the place where we were at, so we got to know the people who worked there a little bit. They are all very nice, like a close family. They even invited us to one of their evening gatherings with sheshleik (shishkabob), and a lot of other food. In Central Asia it is really important to eat, and I reached a new limit of food intake that night! The place is also open during the winter and has many ski trails, but the best thing is that they also have a ski lift! Which we were lucky enough to go on twice!!! Sometimes people come up for a day and take a ride to see the view. It was incredible! At the top we were ~2,440km above sea level! We could see the city and some other villages from up there. One morning, I woke up about 5am, which is not normal for me, but I figured it would be nice to see the sun rise, and it was a very nice morning! Tanya and I got to play some ‘football’ with a few of the guys that worked there and it was fun. The older couples were our spectators, and they enjoyed the games too! Though I must say, you know that you are not in America when you are playing a game of football and the guys who smoke, smoke while playing football! Yes, running up and down a field while smoking at the same time. Who knew? Though I must say, I don’t know too many soccer players who smoke back home. Anyhow, it was nice to get away to the nice quietness of nature. Upon our return to the city, you realize just how much noise there is, and how much you come to ignore after living among it. Not to mention the pollution and all the fumes from the vehicles. The mountains are wonderful for fresh air, quiet getaways, and spectacular views and hiking.