Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Young Kyrgyz Musician - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Young Kyrgyz Musician at Ala Too Square - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Statue of Martyrs - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Like many of its contemporaries, the Statue to the Martyrs of the Revolution provides a resting spot for Bishkek's birds. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

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.

Soviet Design at Movie Theatre - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A movie theatre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan reminds of us Soviet design principles. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Fountains at State Museum - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Fountains line the area outside of the State Museum in downtown Bishkek. The snow-covered Tian Shan Mountains loom in the distance. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Young Kyrgyz Performers - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

These young boys looked like they were going to put on a show at the fountains in front of the Kyrgyz State Museum. But, alas, they were just playing around on their way home from school. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Sweets and Nuts at Osh Bazaar - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Natural and non-so-natural sweets at the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Kyrgyz Bread (Nan) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A young baker stacks up Kyrgyz-style bread (nan) fresh from a tandoor oven in Bishkek. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

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

Kyrgyz Vintage Cars - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz vintage cars in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Spices and Pickled Vegetables - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A corner at Osh Bazaar in Bishkek is defined by spices and Korean pickled vegetables and noodles. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Nut Vendor at Osh Bazaar - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Selling Nuts at Osh Bazaar, Bishkek. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Pickled Vegetables, Osh Bazaar - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Thanks to the local Korean population, each market in Central Asia seems to have a salad aisle devoted to pickled vegetables and other salads. The Korean backstory: Stalin deported approximately 200,000 Koreans from the Russian Far East to Central Asia in 1937 on the grounds that they might be spies or traitors. There are an estimated 450,000 Koreans in Central Asia today. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Somsas (Meat Pastry) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Somsas (savory Central Asian pastries) can be deceptive. They look so good and fresh, but many are filled with piles of mystery meat. We were always on the lookout for cheese somsas, but they are difficult to find. Meat is still king of the table in Central Asia. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Weighing Service - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

This little girl waits for customers with her scale at the entrance to an underground passageway in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Drinks on Bishkek Streets - Kyrgyzstan

A fermented barley drink called Shoro is dispensed from colorful containers like these on the streets of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Britney Spears on Rice Bag? Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A young Britney Spears on a rice sack? Maybe it sells better? Osh Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Post Office Mosaic - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A unifying and colorful mosaic at Bishkek's main post office. Read more about our visit to Bishkek and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.