Mia Hansen is from Denmark. She is a political scientist. She came to Central Asia first on business, and then decided to stay.
Before arriving in Kyrgyzstan, Mia lived in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. She began discovering Kyrgyzstan with Naryn. Mia also visited Osh city twice, went to Issyk-Kul lake. Mia lives in Bishkek only for a month.
— What surprises you in Bishkek?
— It is interesting and easy to live in Bishkek. It is a small city, but very cozy, people knows each other. In any way, I got such an impression. At first, I was surprised when someone greets you on the street: «Hi! Long time no see.» Such chance encounters are very rare in a metropolis.
People smile openly, ask personal questions: where are you from, what are you doing.
Mia Hansen
They are glad to see you and help if you do not know something. I think, one can understand the city only living in a microdistrict. I don’t really like the center, to be honest. I prefer quiet streets to noisy quarters. And I need to see the mountains through the window. I take a look at that magnificent ridge, sigh, and have a positive boost of energy for the whole day.
Mountains are everywhere in Naryn. And there is such a clean air! What surprised me in Naryn is a trolleybus.
Mia Hansen
There is only one in the whole city and it runs without any schedule. When I saw it, I just could not believe.
Of course, life in Bishkek is more interesting than in the same Naryn: Internet, good living conditions, many cafes. But I quickly get tired of it, but never of the nature in Naryn region, the mountains.
— What in Bishkek reminds you of your hometown?
— It is difficult to say. I am living here not for a long time. But I can say what differs my homeland from Bishkek and in general from Kyrgyzstan and what is missing here. It is sea.
Yes, you have Issyk-Kul lake. But for me, who saw the sea and the ocean, it is too small. Although, of course, it is a very beautiful place. I even have photographs of the dawn in Cholpon-Ata.
Mia Hansen
— And what else do you miss?
— I miss my family first of all. And also fish. You have meat everywhere. I met a tourist from America in Naryn, she is a vegetarian.
I decided to help her with translation. She asked a waiter for a vegetarian dish, but meat was everywhere, even vegetables with meat. They served her side dish — plain rice — in the end. I ate fish when I was in Issyk-Kul region. I tried your famous trout, smoked one is very tasty.
— Is there a dish that you especially like?
— I like lagman, not fried one but that is like a soup. I also like plov, kurut and boorsok. I tried kumyz in Naryn. I liked it, it has original taste.
— And what are you afraid to try?
— I do not even know. I have not been treated to anything that I would be afraid to eat.
— What is your favorite place in Bishkek?
— I really like the so-called old Bishkek. For me, these are Soviet-built buildings that are located in your microdistricts. I feel comfortable there. And, of course, it is Erkindik boulevard. I love to walk there. This boulevard has a unique atmosphere.
— What has fascinated you in close acquaintance with the local population?
— Kyrgyzstan is a small country, very open. When I came to Naryn for the first time, I was surprised by hospitality and friendliness.
Wherever you go, you are immediately seated at the table, offered a cup of tea, people show sincere interest. It’s nice.
Mia Hansen
You feel the interest of the people. It is important. I’m alone here. My parents are far away. Of course, I can visit them, they can visit me, but this is not the same if we live in the same city.
— Do not you want to go to your family?
— To Denmark? No, I don’t. I like the country, I want to live here. The family respects my choice.
— And what disappointed you?
— Corruption. This is really depressing. Your authorities, I know, are fighting it. In general, if I were asked to tell in one word about Kyrgyzstan, I would say: «Kyrgyzstan is a good country!» It is really an island of democracy. But corruption is a huge problem for the state so far.
