Descending from the dizzying heights of the Pamir Highway, the eight will enter Kyrgyzstan, or as it now prefers to be called, the Republic of Kyrgyz. Heading into the land of “forty-tribes” the team will be happy to get to Osh, where they can partake in an ancient game of kok buro, an act which will be sure to offend any animal rights activist keeping tabs on them. It is perhaps best described as a combination of polo and rugby, but with a goat carcass taking the place of a ball. No strangers to unusual customs, the Kyrgyz are also purported to play a game known as “kiss the girl”, in which a man on horseback chases a woman riding a faster steed, all the while trying to steal a kiss. If he fails, the woman is rewarded with the opportunity to chase and whip her shamed suitor.

 

This game has replaced the traditional custom of simply kidnapping your bride. Our female team members remain somewhat concerned…hopefully the fully-laden Trabant will be capable of outrunning a horse. The route takes them north to Bishkek and then, swinging right, they will head east to the lake of Issyk-Kul and on into Kazakhstan.

Potential Suitors Beware!!