My Walk to Work

First, I step out into the courtyard area. Sometimes, I go right back in to take off or put on some more clothes, depending on the weather. Other times, I forge on to my own regret:)


Then I lock the gate door behind me. There's Mendeleeva 192 !
Then I strike off down the first stretch of Mendeleeva str. This short stretch is suprisingly empty of people. Usually, there are lots of people about, kids playing with battered bikes or less--sticks rocks, dirt piles--parents walking around with hugely fat and very cute little babies, and grandparents, sitting out on their chairs, doing nothing but watching the world go by for hours and hours...
Here's a view of it on a prettier day. The mountains surrounding Bishkek are quite spectacular.

The second bend of Mendeleeva parallells this old water pipe. Actually, it's probably still in use, for all I know. Little boys love to run down these pipes and jump from one to the other in surprising and impressive displays of balance and agility.
Here's a typical old Soviet era factory I pass on Mendeleeva. This is right at the bend between the two stretches of Mendeleeva. I think that part of the factory is still operational, because a sweet bakery smell comes wafting out of it on random days. Reminds me a little of the McKee smells from SAU...

Finally, I come to Gorky street, the longest stretch of my walk. Not long after hitting Gorky, I'll pass the Korean National House. This is the sign for it.And here it is:) I like passing the Korean national house on my way back, because it's a landmark letting me know I'm getting close to a warm house and a good supper.

And here's a view of Gorky street proper. You can see that it's not very populated out here. The downtown doesn't begin for another mile or soGorky in the snow.
Next comes the scary intersection. Sorry you can't see better, but it's basically a six laner with very short lights and very antsy drivers who always jump the gun. I've nearly gotten run over here a few times.

Here's the busy pedestrian stretch. This picture is really unusual. Most of the time, the sidewalk is full of students heading to a nearby highschool. They converge from various mashtrutka (taxi) routes on this one sidewalk. I've often come puffing and sweating past all these well-dressed, perfumed, flirting highschoolers on my morning runs. I must be a funny sight, because I carry a lunch in the side pocket of my coat. It pokes out at a sharp angle, giving me the initial look of a guy with a weird pot belly! Plus, I'm running, which is pretty crazy to them, especially when it's raining, icy, or snowy.
Here's the playground I stop at sometimes to do a few chin-ups.

This bridge is about the half-way point of my walk, soon after the playground where I do chin-ups
And finally, the Vefa center, at the intersection of Gorky and Soveitskaya. The University is right up Sovietskaya to the left of this picture (with a quick jaunt right on Mederova st.)

Soveitskaya in the snow

As you can tell, it takes quite a while for me to get to work. Usually it's about an hour walk.

Here's the university