My first taste of the countryside of Kyrgyzstan was on our first pitstop on our journey to the Tien Shan Mountains. Local women set up their stalls on the main road that passed their homesteads to sell the latest crop from their apple trees.
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are countries rich in apple variety and a good choice is often available. This pitstop was particularly good as it had a collection of growers selling their apples in one place. Normally, as I found out it would be just one or two tables with a smaller choice.

We stocked up with bags of apples to last our journey and stay with the berkutchi in the mountain villages.