Osh – my impression from a visit to 2nd largest city of Kyrgyzstan

DSCN0171My main goal was mountain expedition therefore I spent only 3 days in Osh.

This city has around 250 k people. On the outskirts there is an international airport.

A few surprising observations:

  • 1 Airport terminal, despite being located in a fairly new building has no luggage hand out system – a conveyer belt like on most airports. I was perplexed when I saw 30-years-old truck pull up with an open-back filled to the brim with suitcases and bags. Once all the content was unloaded passengers formed a line and passed on all the luggage inside where everyone took their belongings.
  • 2 There are many sharp contrasts in the city. Colourful commercials of banks and mobile phone companies and new tall buildings contrast with dilapidated ruins in side streets.
  • 3 Traffic – there are no lines painted on the streets marking traffic lanes. Drivers are not eager to use indicators and any respect for pedestrians is unknown. One has to be careful even on zebra crossing with traffic lights.
  • You need to copy the locals or get a manual if you want to cross the street. It is not worth the effort to go an extra mile to the pedestrian crossing. Carefully step on the road and if needed stop in the middle, waiting for traffic to lessen before we can briskly walk to the other side. Incoming cars will honk to warn us that they are not going to stop.
  • 4 Most cars that you can see there are of Asian origin like Daewoo, Hyundai or Indian Tata or relicts of soviet past – old Uaz, Gaz or Kamaz. New cars are rare.
  • 5 People are friendly and curious about foreigners. When shopping they will ask you where you came from and what is the purpose of your visit.
  • 6 When going outside of town you can see herds of livestock grazing on hilly meadows. Quite often these herds are moving from one location to another by the road which results in unforeseen stops of our bus.

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