Travel Memories, Kyrgyzstan.

One photo and one memory from Kel Suu.

Welcome to Travel Memories! In this series, I will share one picture that brings fond memories of my travels. Every month, I will choose a photo and share the story or thoughts that come to mind when I look at it.

In this first episode, we go back to 2021 in Kel Suu, Kyrgyzstan.

In 2021, I spent three months in Kyrgyzstan, living in Bishkek, the capital, where I volunteered and explored the country mainly on weekends. One of these weekends, I went to Kel Suu, a stunning alpine lake located in the At-Bashy District of Naryn Region, in southeastern Kyrgyzstan, near the border with China.

On Saturday evening, after hiking and seeing the lake, I had some free time while waiting for dinner, so I took some pictures of a nomadic kid riding a horse. I was impressed by how natural it was for him; he didn't even reach the stirrups, but he was doing it like the easiest thing in the world.

Meeting this nomadic family was an incredible experience for me. I got to witness the simple yet complex life in this place. They live without tap water, relying solely on a solar panel for electricity, and without any phone signal, which are things I rely on so much coming from the West. They seem to have what they need to provide an unforgettable experience to their visitors.

See you soon,

Flavio