The Toktogul Reservoir in central Kyrgyzstan. Taken on a 10-hour journey by car from Bishkek south to the country’s second largest city of Osh.
In case you’ve been wondering about my prolonged absence from the blog, I’ve been in Kyrgyzstan for the last week or so, doing street photography in the capital Bishkek and working on another project. Prior to my trip, I was frantically finishing up work in Shanghai, leaving me little time to ponder my own thoughts.
I’ll be back in another week and a half, and I promise Shanghai Street Stories will be up and running again. I also look forward to sharing my work on Central Asia when I can. I hope your fall is going swell. Keep shooting.
Adam Daniel Mezei
SAT, I was almost in both cities last year…October 2010 –> but it wasn’t to be due to elections unrest and doubts as to whether I could be evacuated on-time as a non-diplomat (I was to have traveled with a diplomatic team…long story).
Will look forward to your dispatches when you return.
Sue Anne
Well, elections is happening again on Sun and there are many fears of further unrest if the elections results are not decisive. It would have been interesting to stay to watch the outcome.
Cíntia
I am waiting for you to come back!
Sue Anne
Gotcha, be back in a week’s time! Then we can go back to Columbus Circle to shoot again. Terrible thing is I lost my tripod in Kyrgyzstan! Boo…
Adam Daniel Mezei
SAT,
So you’re not sticking back because there’s a concern you won’t be evacuated in a timely/safe manner, or your schedule simply doesn’t permit for this?
And, yes, the election times are the best photo ops. No doubt.
Will you be publishing anything you’ve taken thus far?
Keith Munro
I went to Bishkek when it was still called Frunze. I wonder what else has changed besides the name?
Sue Anne
Ah, Keith. Wicked to know someone who knew the city as Frunze. The airport code for Bishkek is still Frunze and some old buildings carry the names. But the country wants to shed its Soviet past, though it is difficult given how pervasive Russian influence is in that country. The city of Bishkek is like an old Central European country with old Europe/former Soviet urban landscape influences. When you leave the cities, it is a mix of nomad and settled lives. Fascinating stuff.