The plane-ride from New Delhi to Bishkek did not prepare us for the country. The Kyrgyz partiality for vodka does not extend to their airlines. No alcohol is served on the flight but there is no bar on bringing your own—and the air hostesses will provide water, ice and glasses. The minute we were airborne, there was an orderly scramble for the hand baggage—Johnny Walker Black Label and Royal Challenge came out and it was party time! Only once did the air hostess request us to come and sit in the aircraft’s rear as it was having difficulty balancing itself.