Before having me, my mom was studying to become a chef. I believe the reason I grew to appreciate all kinds of foods, was because of her. She always cooked the tastiest meals and taught me the secrets of what it takes to have a successful kitchen. Sometimes, she would sneak me into her work, and give me an extra plate of her cooking. With that said, I always appreciate a good plate of food, knowing what it takes to make a special meal.
One of the reasons I believe I was selected to come to Kyrgyzstan through the Fulbright program was because of how I answered one of the interview questions. When the embassy officer in Bishkek asked me, "Why Kyrgyzstan?" I went on a full tangent about how I loved food and wanted to try every cuisine possible. One of the most popular meals in Kyrgyzstan is called manti (dumplings). I told the officer that the first thing I would do when I landed is to try manti.
So there I was. A finalist selected to embark on a journey from the United States to Kyrgyzstan. Getting to Kyrgyzstan took a a total of 28 hours. I flew from Minnesota to Chicago, Frankfurt, Istanbul and Bishkek. Guess which countries those major cities are in? (Answers will be bolded throughout the story).
