Soles of a Nomad

Bishkek isn’t a city you plan your trip around—but it’s one you’re glad you didn’t skip. With leafy streets, Soviet-era landmarks, and an easygoing rhythm, it’s a perfect place to pause, reset, and recharge before heading deeper into Central Asia.

For centuries, travelers arriving in Osh could count on one thing: the bazaar would be there. Empires rose and fell, but the market endured. So naturally, I managed to show up during the brief, perfectly timed moment in its long history when it wasn’t. Because travel, it turns out, has impeccable comedic timing.