about Nooruz

I'm afraid that this will have to be a short post. This is due to the fact that it's 12.30 in the morning and I'm tired. You'll have to remember that, unlike in the states, Kyrgyz internet access is located in aptly named "Internet Cafes" that are usually, but not always, a long way from one's place of residence. Unfortunately, in this circumstance, I am the norm. It's about five very long blocks to get home and I'm sure that in my current dreary state that distance will seem twice as long.

So...

Nooruz is the Kyrgyz (and other Muslim countries) New Year. It is celebrated on March 21st. It is marked by a big celebration in the center of town with singing, games and all the other normalities of festivities. A traditional dinner delicacy, coomolok, is prepared in preparation for Nooruz. It consists of boiling garlic, wheat, all sorts of other stuff I can't remember right now, and stones (yes, stones). Boil for eighteen hours and serve. Coomolok (very harshly Anglisized) tastes similar to a mixture of baby food and pre-cooked pumpin pie. It is slightly sweet. And yes, you remove the stones before injestation. Contrary to popular belief, Kyrgyz people bear no relation to pigeons.

NOTE: If you should have the pleasure of travelling to Kyrgyzstan on March 21st, coomolok is available, and you choose to partake, eat sparingly! Do not eat (or drink) two cups of it! You may have digestive problems soon afterward! (don't know how i know this)