Joy came to Kyrgyzstan from Toronto two and a half years ago. She works as a marketing specialist for a US-based company focused on bringing artificial intelligence into the healthcare.
To document her time here, the girl created an Instagram account @joyinkyrgyzstan and a travel blog. There she shares her experiences and useful travel guides for others interested in visiting Kyrgyzstan.
— I am very lucky that my current position allows me to work remotely. I came to Kyrgyzstan in July 2022 with my Kyrgyz boyfriend, whom I met in Seoul, South Korea. I have always been a digital nomad and have lived alone in Germany, USA and South Korea. So I was excited to come to Kyrgyzstan and explore this lesser-known place.
— What surprised you about Kyrgyzstan?
— The land in Toronto is flat, so what surprised me in Bishkek were the mountains and the rugged landscape. In clear weather, the snow-capped mountains always inspire awe. No wonder Kyrgyzstan is called «Switzerland in Central Asia.»
But there are many other things that surprise me. These are little things like how much attention women pay to their appearance. Their nails, eyelashes and hair with curls, and they always look like they were styled in a salon. When I go to the grocery store in slippers and a tracksuit, people give me funny looks. It is also the widespread use of WhatsApp. Most companies use it to communicate with customers and even for booking. I’m used to doing it through the website and so, when making a reservation at a restaurant, I don’t need human interaction.
Lastly, how many children and babies I see. Having only spent a year in South Korea, which is known to have the lowest birth rate in the world, I realized that one can hardly see small children there.
There are a lot of pregnant women or parents with two or three children. I’ve never seen an empty children’s playground in Kyrgyzstan!
Joy
— What in Bishkek reminds you of your hometown?
— I don’t want to brag, but Canadians are known for their friendliness, politeness and gentleness, especially compared to our American neighbors. When I come to Bishkek, people are just as hospitable and welcome me with open arms. Issyk-Kul reminds me of Lake Ontario and how I used to spend my summer visiting the harbor and beach.
— What do you miss here?
— Of course, I miss my family and friends the most. Since my friends are in North America, it’s hard for me to schedule time for a video call because of the 11-hour time difference.
There are certain activities that I lack, such as driving. Although I have an international driver’s license, the driving culture and road signs are too foreign to me, making me hesitant to drive.
What is also missing in Kyrgyzstan is access to a wider variety of authentic cuisines such as Mexican, Italian, and Japanese, as well as eateries specializing in gourmet salads such as Sweetgreen, a popular chain in the United States.
Finally, I miss fast delivery and e-commerce platforms. Since Kyrgyzstan is landlocked, it’s difficult to order groceries and have them delivered within a day, which is what I’m used to in South Korea.
— What is your favorite place in Bishkek?
— Orto-Sai market. I go there once every couple of weeks for groceries. Since I’ve been going to the market for over a year now, I’ve made friends with the local sellers. Even though I mostly communicate with gestures and only know the words «yes» and «no,» it’s enough for me to get things done.
I love seeing the seasonal produce and how fresh and grown here it is. There’s also a street vendor in the market who sells the most delicious samsa.
— What do you like in the national cuisine?
— Plov and samsy. And also boorsoks from Supara are addictive, I start eating them and can’t stop. And I am especially looking forward to summer to eat sweet and juicy watermelon.
— Are there any dishes you’re afraid to even try?
— I’m very open to new dishes and have tried everything from kumis to kholodets (aspic). However, I don’t think I will try them again. The sour taste of the drink is too unusual for me, and I prefer warm meat rather than cold jelly.
— What has fascinated you in the close acquaintance with the local people? And what disappointed?
— I am fascinated by the number of Koreans living in Bishkek and the popularity of Korean culture. When I go to the market or store, I often see Koreans and ask what they are doing here. I have met many Kyrgyzstanis here who watch the latest shows, listen to K-pop and use Korean cosmetic products.
Like many foreigners, I am disappointed by the air pollution in Kyrgyzstan. I hope that the government will actively take steps to solve this problem, because it will take years.
In my first winter here, my throat itched and I was often sick. This air quality will definitely have a bad impact on people’s health and will lead to long term consequences.
Joy
— Your boyfriend is Kyrgyz. How did you meet him and how did your parents take your relationship with a foreigner?
— I worked in New York during the pandemic, but because of the severity of the pandemic, I decided to work remotely from South Korea so I could also spend time with my grandparents. My friend from Canada decided to come to Korea for an internship as an engineer at an artificial intelligence company. He and my boyfriend were the only foreigners in the company, so they naturally became friends and he arranged a blind date for us. My boyfriend had lived in Korea for seven years, obtained a bachelor’s degree, and worked as a software engineer.
Since my parents had spent half their lives in Canada, a very cosmopolitan country, they were fine with me dating a foreigner. And the fact that my boyfriend understands Korean a little and likes Korean food is a huge plus.
— What are your plans for the future? Do you plan to stay in Kyrgyzstan?
— My future plans are to return to Canada or the United States. Since I grew up in Toronto, the lifestyle I created for myself there is the most comfortable for me. Also, Canada and the U.S. have the best career opportunities in the technology industry, so it makes sense for me to return.
