On Top of the World

We are now in Naryn and the scenery is spectacular. Here are a bunch of photos from today's outing.

The only camels we've seen in the semi-wild.

This rock formation reminds me of the trolls in Icelandic folklore. 

At this point we're only about 15km from the border with China. Their "contributions" are quite evident here.

Lots of horses in this area.

Our first yak sightings.

A dapper gentleman in his traditional hat.

Religion is not very important in this area - which was formerly nomadic. There is one mosque in the town of Naryn.

University of Central Asia, sponsored by the Aga Khan. About 700 students graduate per year. The programs offered are IT, Communications and Marketing.

A Chinese project. Tian Shan means "Celestial Sky:

Our drive here yesterday was full of wonderful things. I had asked our tour guide if there is a version if buzkashi here, and he secretly arranged for a group of local men to demonstrate their skills. I wish I knew how to post video.

These hilarious signs were at our lunch stop.

We watched a demonstration of shyrdak, a method for making felted carpets/ wallhangings for inside a yurt. This was one of the main things I wanted to learn while I was here. I'm ready to give it a try when I get home. 

I fell in love with this puppy. I even dreamt about it last night. 

This is a very ugly fake yurt encampment being created by a travel company. 

We went in this building which was part of a caravanserai on the Silk Road. It was cold in there, so I stood in the only patch of sunlight. My friend who took the photo said it looks like "The Rapture". 

Tomorrow we are leaving for Lake Yssyk Kul, where we are going to help assemble a yurt. We are going to sleep in yurts tomorrow night. I hope they are real yurts, and not ugly ones like we saw today.