Indian Eggplant Dish - Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Our few days in Dushanbe, Tajikistan seemed to revolve around the search for Indian food. We sampled three different Indian restaurants in three days. This tasty and colorful eggplant dish can be found at Delhi Darbar. Recommended. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Indian Dal and Eggplant - Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Our few days in Dushanbe, Tajikistan seemed to revolve around the search for Indian food. We sampled three different Indian restaurants in three days. This tasty and colorful combination of eggplant, dal, and chutney can be found at Delhi Darbar. Recommended. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

View of China from Pamir Highway, Tajikistan

The barbed wire fence on the left marks the border between Tajikistan and China. It was unmanned, but menacingly stretched for miles and miles. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Old Kyrgyz Man - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

An old Kyrgyz man surveys the animals on offer at Karakol's Sunday animal market (Mal Bazaar) before making a purchase. Read more about our visit to Karakol and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Steamed Manti (Dumplings) - Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Manti (Central Asian dumplings) are stuffed with meat and freshly steamed. Look for these in the bazaar in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities.

Ganfan, Kyrgyz Dish - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Ganfan became our favorite Kyrgyz cafe food (though it's technically a Dungan specialty) since it normally had a fair amount of vegetables and was usually lighter on the meat than its noodle-based counterpart, lagman. Read more about our visit to Karakol and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Dog Hiking Companion - Manzhyly, Kyrgyzstan

This dog served as our trail guide and led us up dry creek beds to enjoy fantastic views of the mountains and southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. We wish we could have taken him with us for future treks. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our perfect day at Lake Issyk-Kul.

Karakol Animal Market, Boy Selling Sheep - Kyrgyzstan

A boy tries to sell his sheep at the Sunday animal market (Mal Bazaar) in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Karakol and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Hot Springs and Moon - Altyn Karashan, Kyrgyzstan

Altyn Arashan's natural hot springs provide the perfect welcome after a long day of hiking and the post-sundown chill. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities.

Kyrgyz Young Women in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Intersections in large Central Asian cities are often equipped with underground walkways. Some of these underground passages are filled with shops and take on a life all their own. These three friendly young women help us stock up on paper supplies while in Bishkek. We gave each other (in broken Russian and English) some good laughs along the way. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Peppers for Lagman - Osh, Kyrgyzstan

This woman grinds a bowl of peppers to spice up Kyrgyz favorites like lagman, ganfan and other soups and stews. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities.

Kyrgyz Cemetery - Manzhyly, Kyrgyzstan

Cemetery at Manzhyly on the southern shore of Kyrgyzstan's Lake Issyk-Kul. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our perfect day at Lake Issyk-Kul.

Kyrgyz Women at Shop in Karakol - Kyrgyzstan

We stopped by this little shop to pick up bread and were met by friendly women from the neighborhood having a chat (and a drink) with the shopkeeper. Read more about our visit to Karakol and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Sweet Treats at Osh Market, Kyrgyzstan

We stocked up on dried fruits and nuts in Osh, Kyrgyzstan to take with us to the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan. After several days of eating potatoes and bread, these dried apricots became a prized possession. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Spice Stand at Osh Bazaar - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Markets in Central Asia always seem to have large and colorful spice displays, but we're not really sure who is using all these spices since the local food is relatively bland and not particularly heavy on the use of spice. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Fresh Snowfall on Mountains - Osh to Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

A fresh snowfall in southern Kyrgyzstan provides yet another photo opportunity. Taken between Osh and Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan en route to Tajikistan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Kyrgyz Kids on Donkey Cart - Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

Can you imagine how cool it would be to have your own donkey and cart as a kid, raising havoc in the streets? Many do in Kyrgyzstan! Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our Ramadan feast at Song Kul Lake.

Kyrgyz Mother and Son at Osh Market, Kyrgyzstan

A tender moment between mother and son in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities.

Watering Hole, Snow-Capped Mountains - Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

Hoof prints surround a stream that makes its way on the edge of the Pamir Mountains. Between Sary Tash and Sary Moghul, Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Kyrgyz Kids - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Village near Ak-Suu (outside Karakol, Kyrgyzstan). Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities. © www.uncorneredmarket.com