crossroads.

Its quarter to midnight on a deserted junction where two people are trying to figure out their next move into getting home.

The lamposts have dim lights, the vehicles are far and few.

There comes along a young man, looking all disheveled and lost. Unkept hair, tucked out shirt with mud stains.

Shows us a tiny piece of paper with a line printed on it.

"How do I get to this place?"

One of us, keyed in his address onto google maps and realized it was a long way down the stretch of road.

"How do you intend get to this place? Its rather far. And the buses and metros have already terminated their services."

"I was robbed some couple of hours ago. I have been walking for a long while. I went to the police station to report the crime and they told me, they will not be able to help me because I was from a different province; not a local. I was given the address to seek shelter for the night".

"Oh.."

"I am tired from all that walking. I approached several people for help and everyone thinks I'm ought to get them. I don't want your money, I just want directions. I just lost my hard earned savings."

"hmm..Well you will have to just walk straight all the way, maybe in an hour. You will reach your destination."

He left thanking us.

He must've walked perhaps 200 meters and was seen flagging down a police car. He approached them to relate this situation and was shown to continue walking in the same direction as we had informed him.

"Maybe he really needs help."

"Yeah..He does look rather desperate".

We were still waiting for our cab.

He had walked further down the stretch and this time had flagged down a bunch of traffic police men. They also didn't do much to change the situation but rather gave him similar directions and drove off.

We finally got a cab.

"Where will you be heading?"

"Ermm...Just drive straight. Will let you know."

Along the way, we saw "our friend" still walking down.

"Hey mister, come. We'll give you a ride".

"Huh! Oh!! I'm so thankful".

"So we will be heading to this address..." one of us read from the slip of paper.

The cab driver was visibly shocked. But had managed to piece the story before the night ended.

"It's really nice of you to help me. I am extremely grateful. I wish I could give you something in return but I haven't got anything on me. My hard earned savings of 4000 bucks was robbed. I was suppose to send it to my parents back home. I don't know what I'm going to tell my mother. I had to convince my mother into letting me to come to the city to work and now I have been robbed and left with nothing."

"Its okay. You will be fine. I'm sure this office you're heading to will help you sort your matters".

"Yes. Yes. I hope. Thank You again. You say you guys are students I can only wish you well in your studies and thank you very much for helping."

His destination had arrived and our job was done.

The night was long but it left us with a sense of hey-we-did-something-good.

I understand we ought to be cautious, but when does one draw the line between helping and walking away?

...it was all over in 20 hours.

Life’s journey is not to arrive safely at the Grave, in a well-preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, “Holy Shit! What a ride!”

It all started with deciding to sleep at the airport till my flight to Singapore. Only to realize this particular Haikou airport, claimed to be the best of recent chinese revamps was not a disappointment. Neither did it flatter me entirely.

They simply do not function 24 hours.

After the last plane takes off, life at the airport turns off too. Now did I mention the itinerary, albeit boasting to be a transit protocol doesn’t quite cover the “keep my baggage for me while I roam bit”. Hence a significant amount of cash was spent in getting a member of the airport security and information counter to take responsibility of my baggage. One that held medical equipment and a pair of fairly adequate speakers.

That was 40RNB for two days. And for my question on what to do in Haikou, our friend had only one answer “take the shuttle bus to downtown”. Now downtown had to be the choice, given how everything about this place reads abandonment and far from what Shanghai is to me. Home.

Nevertheless one needs to explore. There is no other way of replacing the void that screamed “why can you not make plans”.

Off I picked a shuttle service that was heading towards a place where lots of food was available. Ten minutes into the journey, all I witnessed were dark windy roads. Lots more dark windy roads. 

Downtown varies from places to places? Or some dark Fae party was taking place. I mean what is the idea of downtown for the people in this part of the world?

Decided to ask the girl sitting a seat away.

“Where exactly does this bus go?”

“Where do you need to go?”

“Somewhere”…

“Do you have an address?”

“Ermm…Any address will work I guess”

The classic look of bewilderment with a tinge of doubt regarding my sanity was all over her face.

Confession time.

“I don’t have a place to go. I was thinking maybe you can tell me what people do at night, I might just alight at one of these stops and join in the fun…”

“Okaayyy…” This time she was convinced I was insane.

“Well it’s my first time here, and I was planning to stay at the airport for the transit till they told me it had to close. So I thought I’d check out the city after dark instead”.

“So you have nowhere to go?”

“I will if you provide me with one” followed by my million dollar smile.

“I see”.

Pause.

I initiated the conversation. Again. 

“Where are you from? Are you a student? Working? What do people do here when they are not working?”

Pause. Either she was hesitant or was trying to phrase her statement. 

“I am a student at Hainan University studying (something along the lines of aviation I think)”.

“You’re a student? Nice. Where you headed may I ask?”

“Meeting a friend for supper. You can join us if you want”.

Vegas neon lights took form of capitalized Y.E.S. in my head. 

“Really? That is very nice of you. Can I really? I mean I don’t mind, but wont it be a little troublesome for you?”

“Nah, its fine. We’re gonna have supper at this (insert Chinese characters) Street.”

“Awesome”.

The rest of the journey was filled with just me asking questions and her answering them enthusiastically often complimenting on my rusty Mandarin and the intense effort I took to understand them. DID I MENTION SHE SPOKE NOT A SINGLE WORD OF ENGLISH?

My patience and level of concentration was never tested this much in my life. The last time I maximized my Chinese language ability was when we had to fight for our rights against an evil, money bugger of a landlady. I digress.

Finally the stop came and we got off at a place that was not any less darker than the previous streets we had passed. Seriously what kinda downtown was I being introduced too.

Nevertheless I followed her lead. It didn’t end, we had to take another bus, this time a less comfy, much cheaper public bus that took about 20 minutes to get to the Food street. She paid for me. Shameless, I have become. 

Food Street was freakin' crowded! People eat here after dark. It's almost like a hobby. 

As I took in the happenings, her other friend came by. This time a Chinese Muslim girl from Henan province. She was amazingly nice and hospitable. They enquired about my background, about Singapore, my Shanghai life. They shared their life in Haikou and how one of them actually dislikes Shanghai for larger cities have a faster pace of life, compared to the laid back one that Hainan poses of.

I was convinced this was no downtown. I never saw foreigners in my 20 hours here. The only whites I saw were coming in from other flights landing at the airport and me the lone brown woman, loitering the streets with two other amicable young ladies I met ten minutes ago, in a bus that I decided to board; giving myself the benefit of doubt of heading somewhere nice and perhaps different.

Different it was.

People crowded the streets on their uber low tables and even lower wooden stools for a dessert bash. This particular dessert was made from tropical fruits, especially young coconuts with raisins, white fungus and a whole bunch of Chinese herbs whose names fail me. I was even greeted to one of the best Red Bean Bubble Tea I have ever had in my life. Yum!

Now you probably have labeled me a frugal, stingy, good for nothing traveller who leeches of others. Allow me to explain. What happened was the way these girls refuse to accept my cash. They actually had a look of “are you insulting me?” You do not want to mess with girls who may misinterpret your actions and abandon you in the middle of nowhere. 

When desserts were over, they were asking for my plans.

“ahh the 'P' word. I might just walk around till dawn and take the shuttle back to the airport”.

“No no no. You will be tired. You need to rest.”

“Well I didn’t book a room. And I don’t want to check into a hotel for a night when I don’t even have a change of clothes. What is the point anyways?”

“This is not a safe town for you to roam alone. This is not Shanghai.”

“Oh okay. What do you suggest then?”

“We’ll find a cheap hotel”.

They started scouring phone numbers for motels on the food street and prices below hundred.

Hotel 59.

“69 bucks for a night and separate electricity and water fees”.

“What the….”

“Deposit 150RNB”.

“I only have a hundred. How about I swipe”.

“No cards. Only cash. There’s an ATM outside.”

ATM only accepted Chinese cards. I had successfully cleared my Chinese account. Semester ended for Christ sake!

“How about 130RNB?”

“Only 150RNB. I’m just doing my job”.

Can’t stay there any longer. Not when a clearly annoying old woman was out to make your life miserable.

We resorted to a rather dilapidated, peeling walls, scribbled graffiti, forth floor motel, whose “windows” by the way were made of barbwire. >.<

I wanted a cheap room not a junkie’s ghetto!

Although I had barely slept in the last 61 hours, I was still able to differentiate between a cheap hotel and an emancipated building.

However, the kid who was in charge of this serenely intimidating motel was kind, nice, and polite and the rooms were freaking big for the meager amount he didn’t even demand but requested. There was even hot water. There were clean sheets and there I was looking forward to cockroaches. 

Under a tattooed mafia exterior laid a sterile Operating theatre.

At this point, the two girls were extremely tired and possibly unsure what exactly I was up to or wanted to.

“You don’t want to rest?”

“I can appreciate a rest, just not here.”

I actually would have relented to that room, if they were keen to stay there with me. But that was just too much to ask. And I was not comfortable with the ambience. Neither were they. But they were a lot more concerned about my lack of sleep in the previous days then my potential lack of sleep if I had agreed to actually take that room.

“KFC”.

“Its 24 hours, they have internet, I can stay there till dawn and cab to the airport. How much does it cost to get to the Airport”.

“Hmm..20 minutes and 50 RNB. Tell him not to run the meter and fix a price of 50 and no less”.

Downtown was not downtown and meters are for cheating.

We politely declined rundown motel to KFC where it was 24 hours and always crowded. The girls were happy that I was in a sound place. They accompanied me to KFC, set with me till I was settled into my space. Whatever that meant. 

Told me to sleep well and be rejuvenated. How ideal was KFC for a good sleep? Beats me. Passed me the packet of milk they bought when they saw my cereal packets. With the reference to the clock at the KFC outlet whilst I’m typing this, all this kindness, altruism, caring manner was from two girls I met 4 hours ago.

Moral of the story being if you’re into Aesop’s Fables, sleeping in airports are convenient, fun, and if I had agreed to spend my 20 hours indoors I would not have met two amazing girls who are now my friends I’d be writing too (preferably not in chinese), the fact that creepy motel owner was nicer and a lot more likable compared to that crappy old lady in charge of hotel 59.

Now you know why I travel. The world ain't that bad. So far. 

________________________________________________________________________

Next stop; Home. 

Who would’ve thought the journey towards home would also include a harrowing experience on the road. When I exited KFC to go hail a cab, a cab driver was in the midst of getting my attention. I gave him my divided attention and a wave to signal that yes I would consider his help. Note: I do not have a sensitive nose in addition to the 74.5 hours of non-sleep pretty much every other organ was functioning at half if not a quarter of its original ability. Negotiating the price and finally fixing on a 50 bucks ride I settled in the front seat behind him. And my nose picked up the alcohol. Surprise! I’ve entrusted my life to a drunk driver.

I have never been this awake in my life. Not even in class. He was on the walkie-talkie, he lit up a cigarette and soon he was picking up speed on an extremely narrow road filled with hairpin turns. And there was no other car in sight. I had to let him know that I was not prepared to die that day. Not in a car. Not by a drunk driver. Not in China please!

“you might wanna drive a little slower”.

“slowww…slowww…”

For the rest of what was supposed to be a 20-25 minute journey was the LONGEST 25 minutes in my 25 years of living. Every time a long vehicle was making a turn, I was watching out for it. I was making sure, my driver was not about to fall asleep in his drunken stupor. Ensuring he doesn’t beat red lights or fails to see a pedestrian or turns a little too fast for his own good. He may have been a good driver, but he was drunk at 4am in the morning and that is sooo not cool!

When we finally reached the airport and I was very sure it was the airport, I thanked him profusely.

For sparing his life and mine.

Without Borders

Heard of Medicine Sans Frontier? They are the Doctors without Borders. Similarly they have the Reporters Without Borders. Apart from these well known ones, there are other similar "without borders" groups that are working for one cause or another. 

The A-Z Guide of World's "Without Borders" Groups discusses the many other groups that individuals have formed for one cause or another.

Some of the few interesting ones were:

Bees Without Borders

Geeks Without Borders

Braille Without Borders

Mothers Without Borders - this came about as they were trying to reduce the number of children who were being orphaned.

Bands Without Borders

Clowns Without Borders

And many more at The A-Z Guide of World's "Without Borders" Groups. 

Check 'Em Out. Chances are you might end up signing up for any one of them. :-)

There are no such thing as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination, and wonder. - Ronald Reagan

Over a Cup of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Hustle and bustle need not necessarily be on the streets. It can invade an otherwise, quiet cafe; on a cold winter's night. Every man for himself. And every other hot drink on the menu, his coveted companion.

The jazz music in the background; with its prominent saxophone piece.  Hot, piping cups of Americano, Latte or the ever-needed Espresso shot for a reality check. Haven in three different sizes yearning to be held by the customers; for the insane winds beyond the cafe, not only lashed at the shivering trees but also took its shot on the poor men, much poorly equipped for the crazy winter.

To the left of the barista's counter, was an ever enthusiastic, probably high on sugar elderly male. He never once took a break from his talking. His listeners included a plump, short haired lady and another middle aged female with much shorter hair but red in color. They were such good listeners. Or actors for they did appear as if every Chinese word the older man said held power. 

Abruptly, the older man's words came to a halt. A younger lady had just joined the crowd and it was her turn to share her thoughts. The man instead kept himself occupied by turning to his right, sharing a smile with a girl in a sky blue hoodie. As, he left to leave with the rest of the females, he again gave a "good-bye" smile to the girl. All there was to it was a smile and people were acquainted; even if it was for a brief second.

Image does not belong to this site so bless the soul who took this shot.

About a meter from where a new friendship took birth, were seated a pair of young chinese dudes. Looking all cool and hip, they were discussing about Obama and checking out a girl simultaneously. Politics in the air. Fashion in their wear. Hot Cuppucino in their hands and eyes towards the really tall, almost cow-girl like lady who seated across from them. Multi-tasking?

Another group settled in the middle of the cafe grounds. All five of them had similar features and exact same blonde hair. They were a family from a non-English speaking European country. The three sons can very well be triplets if not for their varying heights. The family were probably on their way back home from fetching the kids from school. Such massive backpacks, with only the children owing one each, spoke so much of school than a camping trip.

While their bright yellow hair shined under the orange lights of the cafe, a bright red coat made its presence felt. It was worn by a young chinese female, presumably in her mid 20s, with hazel colored hair. For the first time, a traffic post, with the stop signal was witnessed inside a cafe. 

Middle aged ladies in their colorful scarfs and middle aged fashion statements occupied the tables closest to the barista's counter. 

A group of Caucasian men with receding hair lines, took the seats furthest away from the women. Deliberately? Stock Markets, dilemmas over property investments, Sydney or San Fransisco, etc. were their train of thoughts while their poor lattes stood waiting patiently.

A young bespectacled chinese dude, whose dressing style suggested a creative mind, settled into the seat nearest to a power point. He had his precious Mac. A cup of hot chocolate and his eyes were glued to Apple's screen.

All of this took place, approximately 45 degrees from where me in my sky-blue hoodie and my beloved Caramel Macchiato were comfortably positioned.

Hidden Worlds

I am a documentary addict. I will watch any documentary provided it keeps me glued to the screen. There I was flicking through the channels while waiting for the water to boil. My parents use traditional kettles to heat water so yea, there is a certain while to spare before the water's temperature reaches boiling point. 

Anyway, that's not the point.

This documentary was about Transvestites from two different regions in Asia. 

Both the regions were covered alternately. But I'm not gonna go back and forth of course. The first region was from this particular place called Koovagam from Tamil Nadu, South India. This area was famous for its large population of Transvestites or Hijras/Aravanis. They are often referred to as the Third Gender. I am assuming this reference is within the Indian population. Correct me if I'm mistaken. These people pray to a particular Hindu deity called Aravan which probably was the origin for the term Aravani. Why you may wonder, that they pray to this particular God and not to the well known Shiva or Elephant God. 

Apparently the reason goes back all the way to the Ancient Indian Scripture, Mahabharat. Aravan deity was looking for a bride and many refused to marry him. Seeing his plight, the Lord Krishna, took the form of a female and married Aravan. Funny how they choose to pray to Aravan and not Krishna. Hmm..The Anthropologists who were interviewed didn't clarify this choice either. 

So, one of the many rituals that these Hijras look forward to is the day when they will be married to Aravan. On this particular day, the "females" dress themselves up, purchase the sacred Mangalsutra and head to the temple of Aravan. There the priest ties the holy thread around the Hijras, to signify the sanctimony with their God. And only the Priest of that particular temple has the right to tie the knot. These brides remain brides only for a day. The next day the thread is cut, their bangles are removed and they are widowed. "This is the only way and Aravan  is the only person we can be married to", says one of the Hijras who was recently "widowed".

The other community were the Bugis people  from Sulawesi Islands, Indonesia. Many or at least the majority of the human race on Earth and the mentality we have been nurtured with is that 'there are two genders in this world'. What the Bugis men believe is that, there are not 2 but 5 genders in this society. The first two are the traditional male and female roles. The other three refers to males who are brought up as females, females brought up as males and finally a speciel group of male priests who are capable of being male and female concurrently. Strange would be an understatement. It is both interesting and baffling to learn about these communities.

Initially I thought these priests were being similar to bi-sexuals. But not exactly. The priests grow beards like males, they dress themselves up as females. They use cosmetics similar to that of females. A particular ritual meant requires them to prove that there is a spirit present in their body; a good spirit I'm assuming. To prove the presence, they use a traditional Indonesian knife or Kris and stab themselves in the palm, cos the hands are used to touch things. The throat, cos food enters via the throat and finally the stomach cos thats where the journey of the food ends. Their knowledge on digestion is not thorough but thats besides the point. 

These priests are the ones who also hold rituals for the two other genders apart from the conventional males and females.

I learn something new everyday and people amaze me every other day as well. I am impressed with the world I inhabit. 

Powerful Power

Back in 2008 when I was reading the Communist Manifesto for a particular Socio-Political elective, I concluded the writings to be rants of a dysfunc communist who went by the name, Karl Marx. The ideas he proposed were a tad twisted as his beard appeared to be. His mind was a one way track that possibly was due to his deprived upbringing. Which, I am assuming, was the basis for his theories.

Then again, I also have to agree, bits of what he conveyed did make sense. Quoting Marx,

"Men is a perpetually dissatisfied animal".

He felt or perhaps knew that men was always after something. If his primary needs were fulfilled, he develops new needs and maybe just wants. And once again according to Marx,

"These new needs are the first historical act".

That was how history was created. If man hadn't had the curiousity to to ask questions and seek something better in replacement of his existing life, science would probably not have ventured far. Or at least that is what I think. When these needs manifests itself onto man to a point, whereby being the best takes over being better, greed takes over.  

And for the most famous Marx Theory which was in favour of communism was probably a result of how he felt about Religion in particular. 

"Religion is the opium for the masses."

Religious beliefs functioned to blind people so they could not recognise their exploitation and their real political interests. Religion emphasises salvation, compensation for misery and alienation on earth. Which justifies social inequality. As of recent, news on destruction is often followed with a "salvation according to his/her beliefs". This statement of his, may not be the best way to describe religion or its devotees. Then again, on some levels, people are lead by blind faith. Who's to say for that?

Oil leak in America and Obama's response to the entire incident is almost always making headlines these days. How citizens are upset at the governing party to be taking matter slowly and perhaps lightly instead of the attention it requires. His popularity status compared to the time when he was campaigning, has certainly headed for a plunge.

Politicians and Citizens. These parties will never be satisfied. Both these sides will never cross each other. As a citizen you will always be disatisfied with the way things are run. You will have hoards of opinions on how things should run. However, once inside the Oval office, you will be just as 'good' as the one before you. Even if the leader does understands your situation, what he attempts to do to better your life will eventually fall short of your expectations.

"Without government, human beings would compete for territory, resources and power. Fighting would be common, survival would depend on strength and cunning". 

- Hobbes, Thomas

In other words, we will no longer be the civilised beings we are now. It will all be a matter of kill and grab. Self before others. Or perhaps we already are evolving into that mentality...

Abstract Expressionism

Mona Lisa Smile. One of my favourite movies. I watched it again for what..the millionth time again last night. Every time I watch it, it makes me feel good. Julia Roberts, her beliefs in the movie. Her character that breaks the norms, its just awesome. Actually, awesome is an understatement. I love her. I love the movie. They're both amazing. Maggie Gylanhaal, one of the best character portrayals I have seen her in thus far. 

Jackson Pollack whilst creating his Composition 31 

                           (http://www.beyeler.com)

The movie was set in the early 50s. How credible the movie was in conveying the real Wellesley girls is beyond me. However, I do believe the general mentality of women of that era, to some extent, was accurately portrayed. Why travel back in time to the 50s? I am surrounded by girls who still withhold the mentality. And I have failed to understand why. 

            Composition 31, Jackson Pollack

      (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/564478895/)

What Pollock did for the widely accepted masterpiece of his, was simply to lay a canvas on the ground and start pouring oil paint over it. He repeated the action for a long time. Using other materials including traditional paint brushes, some other improvised 'brushes' and the existing Gravity, to create the image. His art forms were classified under Abstract Expressionism. How aptly named!

Not all Who Wander are Aimless

Especially not Those who seek Truth
Beyond Tradition, Beyond Image
Beyond Definition.

- Mona Lisa Smile -

An Irredeemble Mistake

One of the hospitals, here in China, resorted to purchasing blood from illegal dealers. The blood was then transfused into 14 patients.

The 14 individuals are now 14 HIV positive individuals.

And I thought we were working towards saving lives.

Life is short, and Art Long
The Crisis Fleeting; Experience Perilous
And Decision Difficult.

The Physician must not only be prepared
to do what is Right Himself

But also to make the patients
the attendants, and externals
Cooperate.

- Hippocrates -

In Conversation - Fate

Sam: Do you believe in Fate?
Usha: I believe I can change Fate.
Sam: You may never know, maybe Fate is causing you to believe that you can change Fate.
Usha: What?! That doesn't make sense. Why would Fate cause me to change Fate itself?
Sam: Cos you were Fated.

Kyrgyztani is an Asian too.

We were in the midst of our "teach-usha-table-tennis" moment when this couple entered the student's lounge. After a few smiles and nods between the unknown couple and the four of us who were playing, they decided to wait and watch us play. From far, any light skinned, small eyes individual would be assumed for a Chinese or Korean. Well more so Chinese because we are in China remember. But wait, this was the International Student's Lounge. Yeah we are special. The local students rarely enter the lounge or you can I say I've never noticed them in the Lounge. Since he was watching us, we asked him if he wanted to join in the game. The girlfriend replied with a "Go ahead, play. I gotta go get some books".

Now wait a minute, Chinese do not break into English that easily. No, I am not stereotyping but unless they have left the country for a long period of time; they hardly speak in English. Even for the most simplest of reasons. The guy went off to play against another of my friend and the girl remained instead of getting her supposed books. I'm friendly so I approached her for a conversation. The lounge was located opposite the Student Dormitory which also provided me with something to start the talk:

Usha: You stay at the Dorms?
Mystery Girl: Only me.
Usha: Oh Ok. What programme do you do here?
Mystery Girl: PhD in Medicine
Usha: Oh..8 years huh. (she nodded in acceptance) So, you are from...(I like to leave questions unfinished :-)
Mystery Girl: Japan
Usha: [Oh Wow! You speak such good English!] Nice..Where is he from? (pointing to the boyfriend).
Mystery Girl: He's from Kyrgyzstan.
Jan: What is that?
Usha: You've never heard of that place, have you?
Jan: No..hehe
Usha: Interesting.. What language does he speak?
Mystery Girl: Russian.
Usha: Oh wow! (I have a thing for Russian, the language. It sounds hoarse, serious even if the content involved is far from dangerous. I bet Hello Kitty in Russian sounds like a death threat.)

I have met the first Kyrgyzstan resident. When you have a mother whose past time is poring over world maps you are bound to have heard of even the most remote-st of places on Earth. I am not saying K-stan is remote but it rarely appears in the news. Thanks to my being a little ignorant, I assumed K-stan to be near Mongolia with the Kazakhstan, and other non-middle east but ending-with-stan states. As it turns out, and the Kyrgyz himself explained, it was bordered with China so technically in Asia. But it does border with other non-middle east but ending-with-stan states like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Thanks to my mom again, I was not entirely wrong. Ha!

Back to Mystery girl's Kyrgyz boyfriend, he was far from the image of a Kyrgyz I had in my head. Mine resembled that of the Xinjiang natives of China. Slightly tanned with middle-eastern features. Even the Kazakstani girl I met back in 2008 resembled a little of my mental image. This guy, I think, is an exception. I couldn't enquire more as they took off after a game and...I forgot to ask for his name. I should have. The chance for me to attempt enunciating a Kyrgyz name was gone.

And I'm bad at remembering faces. :s