We arrived at the yurts after a long full day ride, and when around sunset the fog suddenly fell on the path, my horse decided it was too scared to keep moving, so I had to get off it and pull it for the last couple of miles. We didn’t meet the kids that night, they were already sleeping, but for the rest of the days we spent on the highland pastures surrounding the southern shore of lake Issyk Kul, Taras was always around, curious and eager to discover new words and new things. Unsurprisingly, the entire clan and the valley shepherds alike were awaiting for us so, while we were visiting the area, they were actually visiting us. The exotic is relative.

Canon T90. Ektachrome 100 and 400. Changing a camera lens without dropping it while horse back riding requires serious skills.

All photos ©Michele Molinari