U.S. diplomat Erik Olerud arrived in Kyrgyzstan in July 2020. He previously visited the republic in 2014 on temporary assignment. At that time, he took time off to ski at the Karakol ski resort and do a yurt ski trip in Jyrgalan. It was his first experience in the Kyrgyz mountains.

— What surprises you in Bishkek/ Kyrgyzstan?

— I really enjoy living in Kyrgyzstan and in Central Asia in general. I worked in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from 2009-2011 and have travelled throughout Central Asia. I have enjoyed each country immensely. I’m surprised about how accessible big mountain terrain is here. Very few capitals in the world have 4,000 meter peaks and glacier terrain approximately an hour’s drive from the capital.

I have always enjoyed off-piste skiing and mountaineering, and have been to Alaska, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Norway, Republic of Georgia and the Alps many times to ski and climb. I never climbed waterfall ice before I got to Kyrgyzstan.

I soon learned that Kyrgyzstan is one of the beast places in the world to climb waterfall ice due to the many beautiful waterfalls in Kyrgyzstan and now I like to ice climb as much as ski.

Erik Olerud

— What in Bishkek reminds you of your hometown?

— I was born in Colorado and grew up in Alaska. It’s fair to say that I was born and raised in the mountains, so the mountains here remind me of home.

— What do you miss in Bishkek/Kyrgyzstan?

— I miss my family in the U.S. of course, but I really don’t miss much from the U.S. Kyrgyzstan has everything I need.

— What is your favorite place in Bishkek?

— I live in the south of the city and prefer to spend time in the mountains and foothills outside of Bishkek. So, I don’t have a favorite place in Bishkek.

However, I do like architecture of Soviet-era buildings and the tree lined streets in Bishkek.

— What national dishes do you like?

— I like shorpo soup, every kind of shashlik, pelmeni soup and tea after a day skiing or climbing in the mountains.

— What are you afraid even to taste?

— Nothing. I will try anything once.

— What has fascinated you in close acquaintance with the local population?

— Many of the local guides and alpinists are friends of mine and I enjoy spending time in the mountains with them.

They are very professional and competent mountain guides and have showed me the best places in Kyrgyzstan.

— What disappointed you?

— My only disappointment is that I must leave Kyrgyzstan for my next assignment this summer. I would stay in Kyrgyzstan if I could.