The woman handed me a bowl of Kumis and I took it with a nervous smile. Bringing it to my lips, I almost gagged at the smell, but managed to somehow swallow a small sip, forcing down a grimace as the thick, sour, rancid mare’s milk sloshed down my throat. I nodded at the woman politely, smiling gratefully, and her face shone with pride at pleasing a foreigner. A faint breeze caressed my face, smelling of the wild flowers covering the tall, beautiful mountains of Kyrgyzstan that were all around me, witnessing my initiation into their cultureby tasting their beloved national drink.
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Spending a week living like a Kyrgyz nomad teaches me the beauty of a simple life still immersed in an old, ancient culture, shockingly not impacted by all of the technology and new developments arising in what always seemed like such a fast-paced, ever-changing world. Living in quirky felt huts, or yurts, by the side of the permanently freezing lake Son-Kul, using fire to heat myself and the fish that is caught-life here is the same as it has been for years. Learning the captivating folktales the Kyrgyz have ingrained in their culture that explain their various landmarks and eccentricities – such as a salty lake, a lone ancient tower, and various rock formations – stretches my imagination, making me feel like a child once again experiencing the magic of nature, not knowing the scientific answer to everything. Horseback riding through the mountains, following the herds of sheep and cows that help boost the Kyrgyz economy and visiting their cemetery, where each plot of land is decorated in such a personal manner – elaborate paintings of the deceased and beautiful scenery, majestic shrines with beautifully carved stonework, depicts just how much they appreciate their ancient culture and makes me want to become more in tune with my ethnicity.
Then on the road again – leaving the community of yurts far behind me as I wind through the mountains, passing sparkling streams and waterfalls, occasionally grinding to a sudden halt to let a herd of fuzzy, black yaks pass. Each mountain is so unique. Some so tall that snow glistens at the top, despite it being the middle of the summer, while some are short and blanketed by beautiful bright green trees and vegetation. Some are made of brown stone and riddled with caves, some wide and thin, creating narrow canyons. Surrounded by these mountains, you can’t help but feel miniscule compared to the huge expanse of the planet. You can’t help but realize that compared to everything in this world, you’re kind of small and inconsequential. Compared to these mountains that have lasted and will continue to last for years, you are ephemeral and forgettable. While at first this came to me in a bout of dejection, in time this knowledge came to give me strength. It means I should make each little moment count, find beauty and valuein every person and experience I come across. These are clichés that are easily tossed around – the commonly stated “you only live once” – however I never truly understood them, and their importance, until that moment, driving through the Kyrgyz mountains, away from any technology, away from most of humanity, and seeing the small amounts of people happy and thriving among the beautiful, natural wild flowers and tall, magnificent mountains. Life and nature, in its simplest, rawest form, is truly wondrous.
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Grt place to visit.. This place is located after entering the Ranthambore National Park.. However, to visit this place u can evn get your own vehicle…
John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
Hey Maggie, I really appreciate your innovative traveling ideas. You have covered so many adventurous places. Waiting for some new destinations. Please keep posting.
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Game Lover
It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
Hi Maggie,
You always share to the world with something new and different destinations. Thank you so much for sharing.
The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
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Wow, what a nice article. Makes you feel like you should pack up and go immediately. It seems Linblad runs a good operation and trips are kid friendly. Is there a list of particular dates that are family friendly or are there kid activities year round on board the boats. Any other advice on travling with kids to Ecuador and Galapagos would be really welcome.
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Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
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Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
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For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
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very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
nice article, i also read about Celebrate Christmas Eve 2018
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Mahalo,
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Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]