Dinner at Barskoon Village
Barskoon Village, Kyrgyzstan 2012
My friend, Torie, was keen to learn all she could about yurts and so we visited this family. Osmanaliev Mekenbek, sitting at the head of the table, is the premier yurt builder in Kyrgyzstan and maybe in the world. One of his yurts is in the Mingei Museum in San Diego, California.
After he and his family demonstrated the building of the yurt, we were invited to eat the noon meal with the family. I remember the delicious food: plov, salads, fried bread and homemade raspberry jam. Before the meal, Osmanliev’s mother said grace. Somehow I understood that in ending she asked God’s blessing on Kyrgyzstan. I was touched by that. And I have emulated her example ever since. I’m asking God’s blessing on America for 2014.
If you are interested in yurts, eagle hunters, fishing, hiking, or like Torie, ancient nomadic crafts like felt making, contact:
www.uzbekjourneys.com Penelope can arrange a once in a lifetime trip to suit your particular interests.