Friday, June 6, 2008

Community Based Tourism and My Newest Job
As strange as it may seem, I actually work in the tourism industry here in Kyrgyzstan. My organization, Altyn Kol, makes shirdaks (felt carpets) and other handicrafts to sell to tourists so they can remember their trip to the “Switzerland of Central Asia” (I’ve heard it more than one place, so it must be true. And now it’s on the internet, so it is doubly true). In addition to my formal role in the industry, to quote Sly and the Family Stone, “It’s a Family Affair.”
My family works for an organization called Community Based Tourism (CBT). CBT’s business plan is quite simple: use local people to provide the tourism services necessary to attract people to the region. A nonprofit organization, CBT gives 82% of the money it earns directly to its service providers. Kochkorites provide housing, transportation, guided tours, and food to those who come through the area. My family fits into all of these areas: our house is a guesthouse; my brother Nurdin drives people to beautiful Lake Song Kol; my brother Azamat takes tourists on treks through the area mountains; and my mom cooks for anyone who stays with us.
Funny enough, I have picked up a job myself: translator. I never quite realized the ubiquity of the English language until I came to Kyrgyzstan. No matter where the tourists are from, at least one of them speaks more than respectable English. Since my host brother Azamat is still in Bishkek finishing his first year of university, I have become the family’s resident English speaker. The tourists enjoy having a fluent speaker in the house, but I don’t think they quite realize I don’t exactly how to translate their needs into Kyrgyz. I usually just do whatever it is they need done.
I do admit that the one thing that one learns first in this language environment is how to express needs, especially simple ones like hunger and thirst, likes and dislikes, and how to gather simple information. Since these are the primary concerns of most tourists, I seem like a natural, dare I say fluent translator. Little do they know, if they asked almost any question outside of the three aforementioned categories, I would probably just have to lie to them.
So far, we have had some really interesting guests (we call them “konoktor” instead of “tourist-ter” so they don’t know we are talking about them). Our first big group of the year was actually a group employed by Land Rover to drive from London to Singapore. They were a pretty cool group of Brits, I must say. We’ve had a couple of French tourists and Erin’s family has had people from America, Slovakia, and, believe it or not, Kyrgyzstan. From what the CBT director tells us, most of the tourists that stay in Kochkor are from France. I guess I should start polishing up French!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jonathan, your new job seems an exciting place to be. My I live in Europe, but I write concerning a young woman, my niece in Bishkek.
is it possible to do so called "praktika" or traning at your host's company? It is for a 3rd year student of tourism at university in Bishkek. she speaks some english and is required to pass "praktika" in summer to be eligeble to continue studies. if so please write to her at sulaimanova80@mail.ru. She will cotnact you too, on monday. Thank you very much for looking at this possiblity. She may end up somewhere where she will learn nothing because they will expect her to make tea and do errands if nothing more. kyrgyzdarga salam ait! J.

Anonymous said...

Hey...where are you!?

Anonymous said...

Hey Jonathan,

Sorry to contact you this way but I was unable to locate your e-mail address...

I noticed you have linked to my site and I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate it!

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Scott Wright
President & Draft Analyst
Draft Countdown.com

Anonymous said...

Hello Jonathan; I just found your blog and I'm so glad to see a PCV has been in Kochkor working with Altyn Kol!! I was a K-9 business volunteer in Kochkor back in 2000-2001. I was not assigned to Altyn Kol, but worked with them a bit and know that they were a great, worthwhile organization.

Hope you're doing well.

--Daniel H.

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