Snow on snow - Christmas in Bishkek 2006 For the first time in our experience, far from friends and family, we’ve felt rather lonesome at Christmas. Sadly, in the work here at UCA, all friends and colleagues with whom we might have shared the festive season have despaired and quit. The highlight of the season has been the offerings at the Bishkek Opera and Ballet – Swan Lake, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, La Traviata.

The pastry cook

With no patty tins to hand, mince pies took on pasty shapes this year

(Fake) Christmas tree from the underpass on Chuy

On the way to work, Christmas morning In Kyrgyzstan, New Year falls before the Orthodox Christmas which is celebrated in January. The festive season holidays, this year include the Eid Al Adha holiday and are from 31 December to 7 January.

The chicken that thought it was a turkey was delicious.

The Christmas spread. We hunted down all the needfuls for a great meal - cranberry sauce, apricot stuffing, roast potatoes and pumpkin and brussel sprouts.

Oops! Watch those fingers.

Snow on snow. View from the office window on Boxing Day morning.