Back in 2022, I was just a young woman eager to take a short vacation outside of the UAE to find the broken pieces of my life. Little did I know that the soul-searching trip would be the start of my love affair with an underrated yet beautiful country in Central Asia. Fast forward to 2024, I finally visited Kyrgyzstan through its four seasons!
But forget about 'comprehensive guides' or 'things to do in Kyrgyzstan', this ain't it. This piece would be my testament of vulnerability by courageously sharing how Kyrgyzstan always catches me during my lowest moments in life. Looking back, my visit through the four seasons of Kyrgyzstan beautifully represented my highs and lows, my activity and inactivity, and my pain and happiness.
So, are we ready? Let's roll!
First of the Four Seasons - Soul-Searching after a heartbreak in Spring 2022
Heartbreak is universal and my story was no exception. I loved and gave my all. But I lost sight of where the relationship was heading and what I thought was resilience and growth, ended up betraying me and chewing me out in the end. Ouch.
I then took all the blame and convinced myself that the problem was me. In my pain, I planned to walk The Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago from Porto. Unfortunately, my Schengen Visa Application was rejected, yet it became my greatest redirection. It led me to Kyrgyzstanโa new country, a new region, a new chapter.
Left and right, there were lush mountains, speckled with blossoming greens yet with lingering patches of white snow and rocky grays. The calm lakes shimmered with hues of blue, while the canyons stunned me with their browns, oranges, and pinks, blending in ways my mind could barely comprehend. Whether seen up close or from afar, everything felt impossibly beautiful.
With a mixture of adventure, meaningful reflection, an inspiration to study the Russian language, healing, kindness, and even tears. it was a pure gift. It doesn't really sound like a good combination, but it was exactly what I needed.
By the end of the journey, I knew I would come back someday. Not only because I haven't seen everything, but it's because Kyrgyzstan became a place of comfort and healing. But who knew that it would be anytime soon?
Second of the Four Seasons - The Mending Period in Autumn 2022
Slowly but surely, the nightmares, the harsh voices, and the distorted self-image began to quiet down. I was mending by building a stable routine but craving an adventure to break the monotony.
Five months after my Spring trip, I unexpectedly received a Kyrgyz E-Visa. Well, it wasn't free because I paid for it back in May but it wasn't processed on time (my fault). Back then, I had to get a visa on arrival but was promised that I could use the e-visa later, once I was ready to come back. Surprise, surprise! They processed it anyway and the traveler in me couldn't resist, so here I come!
Two weeks later, I found myself hiking to Kol-Tor Lake in Kegeti led by Jamil and Beka. The lake was already covered in snow, and while it was only October, I was freezing to death.
Despite already feeling cold, I still pushed to attempt the summit of Komsomolets Peak. The masochist in me and my thirst for adventure took over my decision-making once more. Unfortunately, it was a failed attempt, but it cemented my love for Kyrgyzstan and its mountains. The biting cold reminded me that no pain could compare to the heartbreak I had endured back in Spring.
I'd rather attempt Komsomolets Peak again in a beat, but not another heartbreak.๐
But all is not lost because I shared a lot of meaningful moments with friends, explored a remnant of the Silk Road, and even got my first taste of the banya culture. From then on, Kyrgyzstan felt more like home than a tourist destination. And by then, I even earned a Kyrgyz nameโPeri.
Third of the Four Seasons - Sabbatical Break and Serendipitous Summer of 2024
Then the Sabbatical Break happened. While it may look like a careless and irresponsible decision to others, it has been in the talks since November 2023. After months of preparation, my employer finally let me go. Just like that, I was unemployed for the first time in almost 10 years.
However, as a Filipino, a Sabbatical Break is, to say the least, unusual. To avoid it being frowned upon, I had to hide the true nature of it and weave a few white lies. I also made sure that people only saw a carefree version of myself. Especially having the time of my life traveling solo in Kazakhstan, then followed by a week in Bishkek. Because, why not?
In my third season, the tourist lens started to wear off. I didn't feel the need to 'create content' for social media anymore. Instead, I savored the minutiae and mundane memories of summer while escaping life even if it meant shutting down from the world. Ice cream with friends, long days of sunshine, hiking to my heart's content (yep, a revenge hike in Komsomolets Peak!), and also a trip to Son Kul Lake!
While the world carried on without my contribution or presence, Kyrgyzstan provided me with a safe haven where time seemed to stand still. And during these times of stillness, I tried to figure out the life that I wanted to create.
In the end, I didnโt find the answers I was looking for, nor did I get my shit together. But what I did find was a serendipitous encounterโI met Mr. A, if you remember him from my post "Oh Russia, you're my sweetest mistake". Looks like my lifeโs chapter is about to take a new turn.
Fourth of the Four Seasons - Remote Work, Rediscovery, and Reunions in Winter 2024
Supposedly, I was only taking a Sabbatical Break for a maximum of five months. The plan was to pursue a full-time role and rejoin the workforce right after. But things didn't go as expected. All I could land were freelance and remote projects. While I'm grateful that the Universe kept my finances in check, the frustrations started kicking in. At the same time, my tourist visa was about to expire, and doing the visa run in Bishkek was the most practical option for me.
True enough, this time, there were no bucket lists to tick offโjust quiet days filled with the mundane joys of life. Working remotely at Mr. A's favorite cafe, supermarket runs, never-ending cycle of laundry, and the golden sunsets. I basked in the beauty of everyday life while pretending to be a local in Bishkek. Not that I had to try, everyone assumed it anyway.
On weekends, short yet sweet escapes rewarded us with moments of repose. Yep, Mr. A came to Bishkek with me this time!
One afternoon, we took a lovely walk through the lower part of Ala Archa National Park (because let's be real, it was freezing for a tropical girl like me). We even spotted some squirrels along the way but couldn't help feeling frustrated by the ongoing construction. The natural trails are being damaged so that they could build a hotel.
Other times, we found joy in cozy date nights savoring different cuisinesโRussian, Korean, a pizza parlor (Dodo for the win!), and the famous traditional Kyrgyz spot Navat with chak chak as the finale!
As I embraced the stillness of winter during my two-week stay in Bishkek, I saw it as a symbol of waiting, resilience, and transition. Having now experienced all four seasons of Kyrgyzstan, I realized that my journey had completed a full circle both literally and emotionally.
The Four Seasons in Kyrgyzstan
Every visit during the four seasons in Kyrgyzstan, allowed me to see through different lenses. Once the tourism and adventure high wore off, the rose-colored filter disappeared and I saw things as they truly were. The landscapes, the culture, the people, and even their daily struggles.
Each season shaped me, not just as a person but as a traveler. From being the adventure-thirsty tourist who wanted to show off that she had been to an exotic place, to becoming a more conscious traveler who continuously asks "Am I romanticizing Kyrgyzstan?". Four seasons later, I am humbled enough to admit that my answer is still "I don't know". Because, the word romanticizing, can mean so many things, and its meaning changes depending on the lens you see it through.
Kyrgyzstan, in all its raw and rugged beauty, still holds so many levels and layers waiting to be explored. But it should never be exploited. Especially the kindness of the Kyrgyz, please.
Beyond the pristine and untouched landscapes, access to the snow-capped peaks, out-of-this-world canyons, and the unmatched hospitality of the Kyrgyz, there is so much more than meets the eye.
Four seasons in Kyrgyzstan, yet still I have only been to the tip of the iceberg. My love affair with Kyrgyzstan remains the same, if not stronger. And no matter how many times I'm asked why I keep coming back, the answer is simple: it's another place I now call home.
