- Silk Road 14: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Silk Road 15: Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Silk Road 16: More Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Silk Road 17: Lenin Peak & Turpal kul, Kyrgyzstan
Silk Road 16: More Osh, Kyrgyzstan; Sept 2019
After the wonderful experiences the previous day in Osh, the next day, we got up early to go to Sulaiman-Too, the sacred mountain in Osh city, for a hike, before it got too hot mid-day. This mountain was sacred because its five peaks and slopes contained numerous ancient places of worship and caves, complete with petroglyphs as well as two 16th century mosques, one of which was Babur’s (founder of the Mughal empire) mosque. Several cult sites are believed to have provided cures for barrenness, headaches, and back pain and give the blessing of longevity. The site is believed to represent the most complete example of a sacred mountain anywhere in Central Asia, worshipped over several millennia.
We took a taxi to the base of the mountain and then walked over to the first stop, which was the Cave Museum.
This cave museum showcases the ancient Neolithic and Bronze Age sites; and it is literally built inside the mountain. There were not many exhibits here, and most had no English explanations; so a little disappointing.
After this Museum, we took a short hike on a trail along the mountain; some views below
Babur’s mosque was a very small 4 person size mosque; I guess it was built just for Babur.
Osh City from Babur’s mosque on Sulaiman Too
We stopped for late breakfast at a small café at the base of Sulaiman Too, and Erali came over to meet us. Erali was the manager of the tour company, that we were using to drive us from Osh, all the way to Khorog, Tajikistan. Erali took us around to a few sites in Osh; like some old mosques, the Osh library. Below are some scenes from Osh city
We then went back the Jayma Bazaar to pick up a few things before our road trip started. Below are some scenes from Jayma Bazaar
The previous day, when Muayo was translating during our meeting with Alifbek and his family on WhatsApp from Moscow; she had mentioned that she had studied at the Aga Khan School in Osh. So, we asked Erali to take us there; & fortunately, he knew Gulnar, the English teacher there. Gulnar met us and gave us a tour of the school, and we met with the headmaster. The school is from Grade 4 to 12 but has recently been losing students in higher grades to competitors, and so is planning to enroll lower grades as well. The school teaches the standard subjects, and English, German, French, in addition to the required Kyrgyz and Russian. There are very few Ismaili’s enrolled here, as the Ismaili population in Osh is only ~50 families. Some scenes below from the school below
We said our goodbye’s to Gulnar, and left to wander around a little in the town; some scenes below
We then went back to the hotel, and freshened up; and shortly, Alifbek came and picked us up, and drove us to his house for dinner. Dinner was a big spread that started with bread, tea, butter, several kinds of jams, sweets, biscuits, fruits, juices etc, such that the table was almost full.
After these starters, and conversation translated by Muayo in Moscow over WhatsApp; we moved onto the main course which was plov. This dish is eaten with your hands (no utensils), by all guests, from this one shared communal plate.
After we could not eat any more, talk turned to Alifbek, who is the “khalifa” or learned leader of the local Ismaili population and leads the prayers etc. He is also sought out by the other local Muslims for his learned knowledge, wisdom, advice, dispute settlement, and guidance on the future endeavors, etc. And for his help, they give him money, which is his income. He did tell me a little about myself, after writing down my name and my mother’s name in Arabic and consulting some books he had. Very interesting what he told us about me.
After this, we asked about evening prayers, and he took us outside, where we met a few other Ismaili’s that had gathered, and went into a house opposite, that served as a prayer hall upstairs.
After prayers were finished, we were officially welcomed by the khalifa, and since the gentleman on my right in the picture above spoke good English (he worked in IT at the Agakhan School we had visited earlier that day), the khalifa asked through him, if we wanted to say a few words about ourselves. So, after racking our brains on what to say, we gave them a history about our Gujarati Indian Khoja origins, followed by migration of our grandparents to Kenya, Africa; two generations born in Kenya, and then to England to study, followed by migration to Canada and eventually to the USA. We told to them about our travels all over the world, and they were very interested as most of them had not traveled much. After a short while, we said our goodbye’s and went back across the street to Alifbek’s house; where we had Sher Chai; which is hot milk tea that has salt added in it. And you add a dollop of butter in it and drink that.
We had experienced the same salted milk tea in Hunza during our trip there, so salted tea seems to be a common theme in high mountain areas, in the Pamir region.
After some time, it was time to go back to the hotel; and Alifbek and his family gifted me with a Pamiri hat, Dilshad was gifted a scarf, and we were both gifted thick woolen socks that Alifbek’s wife had knitted herself. Such nice people showing wonderful hospitality and kindness to complete strangers; we were indeed humbled by this whole experience. Alifbek then dropped us off to our hotel, and we said fond goodbye’s. So magnanimous of Alifbek and his family.
To Lenin Peak & Turpal kul (lake) next
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I read your blog and it looks amazing, I will tell your regards to my brothers,
I am happy to work with you and cooperation with you.
Erali, so nice to hear from you. We too were very happy with the trip you had organized for us, with Sherali and Ahmadali
Dear Ali, I just saw your journey’s photos of OSH.So beautiful.You are so lucky to see all these countries.
All the best.Keep going.
Mr Walji, thanks you so much for your feedback of our Osh trip.
So glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, we are indeed blessed to be able to do everything we do; thanks to God.
Appreciate it
Hello Ali,
Thanks for showing us the beautiful Osh city Kyrgz Republic, enjoyed a lot, really fantastic. The Aga Khan School in Osh was beautiful!
Thanks Imtiaz, for your feedback; so glad you liked the Osh blogpost.
Stay tuned for more….
Superb Collection and wonderful write up…!!!
THank you Faqir, for the nice feedback
Wowser, what an awesome trip!!!!!!!
🙂
Ali: Thank you from bottom of our heart for sharing, We both enjoy reading your blog. You both are so blessed to be able to travel around the world and to most amazing places, cities and also meet locals. Beautiful pictures. May you both always be blessed, Love you both dear.
Thanks Farida and Zool; so glad you are enjoying our journey. And it is my pleasure to share; I encourage everyone to go and experience all the beauty and culture, people, in this world.
Yes, we are indeed blessed to be able to travel like we do; and we thank god everyday for making this possible for us.
Thanks again
Hi Ali – again a very good and informative write up. Your write up about the AK school in Osh answers my thoughts about the operations of these schools that opened in this part of the world in the 1990’s/2000’s. I recall reading about them in the Canadian Ismaili. As an alumnus of the AK school system in East Africa one has an emotional connection to these schools. I liked the pictures of the AKES sign and the details of the opening plaque. They make you feel proud as an Ismaili. Your interaction with the Khalifa and the congregation members about the history of the Khoja Ismailis of the Indian sub-continent and their global migration patterns and educational and professional achievements was a good example of the global encounters and the pluralism and diversity strengths that now form part our community legacy. It will serve as an example for other Ismaili communities to emulate. Again a good insight into the Osh part of Central Asia.
Thanks Zahir, for your detailed feedback. Appreciate that
Such a nice place
Thanks Navruzmo
Nice post Ali. Pics are lovely. You’re so fortunate to be able to travel far and wide. I’m enjoying reading your travel logs.
Thanks Nailla
Hi Naila, Thanks so much for the feedback.
Yes, we are indeed blessed to be able to travel and see the world far and wide, as travelers, and not as tourists 🙂
The experiences we get from meeting the locals is nothing short of amazing.
We are blessed; thanks to god.
We want to travel like this until we no longer can 🙂
Thanks again.
Wow what an amazing experience. I love the school and the experience you had with the khalfa. Truly amazing. For me,this was the best part of your trip after hunza.
HI Mahamud, So glad you enjoyed the blog. Yes this trip was as memorable as the Hunza trip. Stay tuned as more such interesting experiences will follow
Thanks a lot for sharing. most enjoyable…love to Dilshad.
Love, Light & Cheers
Muslim Harji
Thanks Muslim, appreciate the feedback
Ali Karim,
Another beautiful blog allowing us to enjoy Osh as if we were right there with you. The changing of times from cultures was nice to see. The school was so special. It seems like they went out of their way for you by providing you with a private tour. The video from the mountain showing Osh was really nice. Your photographs are amazing allowing us to really enjoy all your amazing blogs.
This time I have included my uncle who lives in Chicago and my aunt who resides in Edmonton. They are both here visiting us in Toronto. My aunt does a lot of travelling taking tour groups to various parts of the world. I’m asking her to start blogs on her tours allowing everyone to really enjoy her amazing travels. Her stories are awesome but just imagine with pictures. She will surely love reading and viewing the amazing photos and videos from all your blogs!
You are a real inspiration to us all and thank you always from the very bottom of our hearts.
We LOVED Osh!
Huge HUGS and lots of LOVE!
Shelifa and Aly
Aly,
Thanks for the very kind words; I really appreciate that, and I am humbled. Thanks.
When we travel the way we do, we have many amazing experiences meeting local people; and it is very hard to capture them all in the blog; I can only capture a few of them.
I’ll convey the rest of the experiences to you personally, if we ever have the opportunity to meet 🙂
Thanks again, for the very kind words
Thanks for sharing, Ali
That must be a wonderful experience.
Take care,friend.
Best regards.
Lin
Thanks Lin, for your feedback. It was definitely a wonderful and unique experience
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Most welcome Amir; glad you are enjoying the travels