Full country name: Kyrgyz Republic
President: Bakiev
Independence: August 31, 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Population: 5,213,898
Racial make-up: (Kyrgyz, 52.4%; Russian, 18%; Uzbek, 12.9%; Ukrainian, 2.5%; German, 2.4%; other, 11.8%) Location/Size: Central Asia, slightly smaller than South Dakota
Major Cities: Bishkek (capital), Osh
Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian (both official)
Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz (52.4%), Russian (18%), Uzbek (12.9%), Ukrainian (2.5%), German (2.4%), other (11.8%)
Religions: Sunni Muslim (75%), Russian Orthodox (20%), Other (5%)
Climate: 4 climate zones
Valley zone: Hot summers (84 F) and moderate winters (26F).
Middle mountainous zone: moderate climate with warm summers (66F) and moderate snowy, cold winters (30F).
High mountainous zone: is characterized by cold
summer (52F) and very long, snowy winters, from November to March (12F).
Nival zone: (more than 3500 m height) is characterized by severe and very cold climate. This is a zone of snow glaciers and moisture accumulation. Even in the lower part of the zone July temperature doesn’t exceed 35F and doesn’t drop lower than 0F.
Money and Currency Exchange
The national Kyrgyzstan currency is the Com. There are 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 som denominations. U.S. dollar is approximately 38 Coms to 1 dollar( subject to frequent change). Kyrgyzstan is a country that operates only with cash. You need to bring new, large bills for exchange purposes, in denominations of $50 or $100 in U. S. dollars. Otherwise, all other bills will be exchanged at lower rates. Credit cards and travel checks may only be accepted at banks and in some hotels. Shops are generally open Monday – Sunday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Health
It is safer to drink boiled or bottled water or mineral water. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly and eat well-cooked foods. Most packaged dairy products in Kyrgyzstan are pasteurized and safe. Food is generally safer in cities than at roadside cafes. If you are traveling at altitudes more than 10,000 feet (3000 meters), consult your doctor about mountain sickness, especially if you have heart troubles, asthma or other diseases. Not many people suffer from mountain sickness. If you feel bad, the best cure is to go down in elevation. Medical services are available and well developed in cities. Bring your own medications since western medications are hard to find.
Transportation
Taxis are a fast and inexpensive way of getting around. You can get anywhere in Bishkek for under $1. Taxis cost approximately $1 dollar for 10 kilometers. Taxis are found in abundance in most areas. It is not necessary to pay tips to taxi drivers. Car rental is almost nonexistent in Kyrgyzstan. It is more practical to hire a driver with his own car. It saves you the hassle of dealing with the local militia. (MCCF will provide transportation and a translator for your group, as part of your room and board.)
Tipping
The majority of good hotels and restaurants in major cities add tips of 10-15% to your bill. Smaller establishments expect you to leave tips over their services.
Security
Major cities, such as Bishkek, are relatively safe, although there is little light at night and walking alone after dark is not recommended. It is best to travel with a companion or in a group.
Telephone
International dialing code of Kyrgyzstan is 996.
What to pack if you come to Kyrgyzstan
Luggage:
Passengers departing from the U.S. are allowed 2 check-in luggage per person, weighing 50 lbs. or less each, and 1 small carry-on luggage. Please check with your airlines, if you’re departing from other countries. You may be allowed only 1 check-in luggage. It’s a good idea to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage, essential medications and anything else vital, just in case your check-in luggage is delayed or lost. Check with your airline for the latest updates on what you can or can not bring.
Suggested Medication:
Aspirin, Tylenol, cough medicine and drops, Band-Aids, first aid creams, antacids, anti-diarrhea medications, Benadryl, allergy pills, antibiotics and other prescribed medications. The schools, orphanages and MCCF Foundation can use all these medications, so you can bring extras to leave behind.
Suggested Clothing:
Men generally wear long pants, even in summer. Women should dress modestly, since this is a Moslem country. Long skirts down to the calf or ankle and short sleeve or long sleeve tops with modest necklines are generally recommended. Pants that are not skin tight are OK too. Other clothing should not be skin-tight. Bring a light jacket for spring and fall, a coat for winter and a hand-held fan for summer. It is generally warmer during the day than at night. You may find wearing several layers helpful in cooler weather. This way you can always remove a layer if you get warm.
Food:
The following food items are good to bring for yourself and to share with missionaries: hot cocoa, instant coffee, powdered coffee cream, other powdered drink mixes, macaroni&cheese packets, instant soups, dried milk powder, cereal, packaged sauces (spaghetti seasoning, taco seasoning, Alfredo seasoning, etc.), peanut butter, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, cake mixes, brownie mixes, pancake mixes, Bisquick mix, etc. If you have certain dietary restrictions, please bring your own food items. There are no American or Chinese groceries in Tokmok where the Foundation is located. Kyrgyz food has Russian, Turkish and Asian influences. Popular foods include lamb shish kabobs, other lamb dishes, assorted soups, dumplings and breads.
Other items to bring:
Camera, extra batteries, small flash light, alarm clock, devotional materials, toiletries, body lotions (dry climate), tissues, liquid laundry detergent for hand wash items, calculator to take to market to find out cost from vendors, small English/Russian dictionary may be useful (you may want to learn a few words before you go, such as hello, good-bye, thank you, toilet, how much?)
Suggested gifts to bring for the schools and orphanages, with over 1,000 students:
Christian books in Russian, especially for Children (contact Wycliff Bible Translators, American Bible Society and others), candies for the kids, any school supplies, calculators, books to teach beginner English, sport equipment that kids can play in limited space, such as jump ropes, horseshoe, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, volley ball with net, checkers, other board games not requiring knowledge of English, small Tyco cars, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, etc.
Gifts for others:
Bring some small gifts, such as scarves, costume jewelry, kitchen gadgets or portable shopping bags for people who help or serve you or invite you to their homes. (Kyrgyz people have to bring their own bags to the market, since storekeepers don’t give out plastic or paper bags.) Some of us left our clothing behind and gave it to MCCF staff members and their families.