Kyrgyzstan > Rain and snow around Sol Kul

Last night, the temperature outside was around five degrees. Rain regularly tapped on the felt roof. I admire how the fabric of the tent keeps the rain from seeping through. How does felt actually stay waterproof? With two thick blankets, I didn’t feel cold. The wood stove didn’t burn during the night. Still, I wasn’t eager to get out of bed for breakfast. I washed my face using the small water bucket. Meanwhile, I looked out over the lake. The clouds hung low above the water, and in the distance it seemed to be raining.

Kyrgyzstan - The boy of the family lights the wood stove in the tent

With the wind and no shelter, the scene looked somewhat restless. Nevertheless, I decided to take a walk along the lake. After about half an hour, dark clouds began to gather. I quickly made my way to another yurt camp. Just as I was about to ask if I could take shelter, it started to hail. Without me having to ask, I was directed to the large tent. Inside, the family was preparing food. Bread was baking over a wood fire. I was offered a piece of fresh bread. Once the weather cleared, I walked back. The shore of Son Kul Lake was marshy, so I carefully watched where I placed my feet. In the afternoon, the weather didn’t improve. Rain, hail, and wet snow alternated. I retreated to my yurt. I asked the family’s boy to light the wood stove. With a crackling fire, I stayed in the tent. Son Kul Lake is a beautiful location—but not in rainy weather. I regularly fetched extra wood for the stove from the pile. The boys were busy chopping the wood. I wondered where today’s wood had even come from, as there wasn’t a single tree in sight anywhere nearby. Dinner was again in the central tent. Unfortunately, the stove wasn’t lit there. It was uncomfortably cold. I quickly ate my meal and returned to my own yurt. I climbed into bed before eight o’clock. The boy came by to stoke the little stove. It was pleasantly warm as I fell asleep. During the night, I couldn’t avoid a bathroom stop. When I stepped out of the yurt, I saw a bright moon and a beautiful starry sky. The Milky Way was clearly visible. The grass beneath my feet crunched—it was freezing!