First Days in Kyzyl - April 16 - 17

Sunset over Siberia

Saturday afternoon, we decided to go to the local market after nap time…. markets are so interesting… they tell a story of what people in that area buy for their everyday lives.  They look and feel similar in every country… obviously because everyone needs similar things no matter where you live… like clothes, pots and pans, plastic containers, blankets, towels, toys… underwear and socks (even lingerie).  There is also a section for foods of all sorts.  It was not a long trip to the market since we had Sam and Sophie with us but it was fun and we found the necessities we had set out to buy.  

Valley Kyzyl is in

When we left we went to Bostorg…. our favorite eating place.  It was the cafeteria we wrote about earlier.  There were not very many other options of places to eat with 6 of us and it was kid friendly and had lots of options of good food.  Our favorite is ending the meal with chocolate shakes that were amazingly good.  Sam and I shared which was always fun!! 

After dinner we headed to the river to walk off the shakes and just enjoy the amazingly nice weather.  We were amazed at how much more ice had melted in the river (what did we expect when it was 80 degrees).  As usual, we (Sam and Roger) had to spend some time throwing stones in the river.  A nice ending to another great day!

Church in Kyzyl

Sunday morning we went to church.  Lucas stayed home with the kids because Sophie had not slept well at all with her cough and cold bothering her.  Both the kids slept hours in the morning so we were glad he did that.  The church was in a house which looks almost like a wood/log cabin from the outside.  One of the rooms was good size and there were wood benches for seats.  There was a mix of Tuvans and Russians and about 50 adults plus kids. (Tuvans look more like they could be from Mongolia and of course Russians look European).  It was good to have Jamie translate some for us.  There is something so amazing about being in a service with other believers even if we don’t speak the same language …we have a strong bond in the Lord.  You can tell by the tune that some of the songs are the same ones we sing.   

Oktyabrina and Jamie in marshrookta

marshrootkaAfter the service we decided to go to lunch with Oktyabrina, the friend who went to the museum with us.  She knew of a place we could go to so we hopped on a marshrootka (spelled as I hear it) and rode about 15 min.  At first we had a seat to ourselves but then as people got on we shared… sometimes 3 trying to squeeze on a seat.  Where Lucas and Jamie used to live (Novosibirsk) it was the rule of one to a seat but here…its more the rule to share.   

Local Market with all kinds of wares

When we got off we were near the market and Oktyabrina had told us she knew a store that carried traditional Tuvan fabric (we told her of our quest to find some) so we went and were able to find some nice fabric.  She said it is really made in Mongolia but that is what they wear because they don’t produce their own in Tuva.  When we left the market area we walked a ways only to find out that the place we were going to eat was closed… but guess what was a couple blocks away!!  Our favorite… Bostorg!!  So we headed there and when we got there it was about 2 PM and Lucas called and said the kids were awake so he met us there!   We had such a nice time with Oktyabrina.  She speaks very good English.  She is trying to start a school here on a college level to teach English and some other courses. 

When we went thru the line to get food Jamie and I were standing at the cash register and I said to Jamie “oh I like that girls top” and then as we were ordering drinks there were 2 other girls whispering to the cashier and they were all giggling etc (I hate to sound paranoid but I always figure they are saying something about the crazy American J).  We found out later as Oktyabrina came thru the line that the cashier understood English and her friends were trying to encourage her to speak to us but she was shy. It turns out she is married to an American who moved to Tuva…immersed himself in the language and culture and is a musician who plays with the orchestra etc.  Interesting little story.  I have learned to be careful what I say because even tho people don’t speak English they very well could understand what you’re are saying!

Meat at the street market

After we ate we walked thru a street that had stalls set up selling various things.  It was people from villages that had brought their things to the city to sell.  Very fresh meat… like cutting it off the carcass with the skin still on it… fruits and veggies… crocheted things like hats and baby booties… herbs and canned goods.  It was interesting just to have a look.  Then we headed to the river again to throw stones in the water and just walk around.   It was another amazingly warm day and again we were surprised how much the ice had melted.  It was nearly all gone except on the sides of the river.  By the time we got back to the hotel we hung out awhile in Lucas and Jamie’s room until 5:30 PM when one of Lucas and Jamie’s close Russian friends Leena came to the hotel to see us.

Typical open man holes

Leena came about 5:30 with her youngest daughter named Agatha who is just our Sophie’s age and her son Tiema who was six. Her husband is the pastor of the church we went to but was out of town so we did not get to meet him. We took a longer walk along the river with Tiema and Sam running ahead.  The two boys enjoyed themselves a lot having the opportunity to run ahead of everyone and enjoy the outdoors.   Sam loved having a friend.  It was his first question about our trip to Tuva…would there be children there?   As the boys were running full speed ahead you could not help but notice the open manholes along the way and gasp as they swerved around them.  

Soccer practice and wresting match at stadium

We walked by the Tuva stadium where there were soccer players and also three men preparing to wrestle.  Wrestling is a major sport for Tuvan’s.  After the walk we stopped by Bostorg one more time and had supper (with milk shakes) with Leena and her family.  It was a good time of discussion even though much of it had to be interpreted.  It does not seem to make a difference in our relationships and its fun to hear the stories of these sisters and brothers from Tuva.