I have the opportunity to begin learning Kyrgyz with Aychurak’s help. Residents of Kyrgyzstan speak primarily Russian and Kyrgyz. While Russian is a more prevalent in the North, and may be more useful in the longer term, Kyrgyz is the primary language in the South where I am based. Going through alphabet tables and learning how to pronounce letters has been humbling to say the least. I’m working hard at my studies and hope to be able to start conversing more openly within a few weeks.