by Aidana, age 8 from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, asks Santa about matching shirts, the Tian Shan mountains, and Kyrgyz nomadic traditions.
Dear Santa, my name is Aidana, and I am eight years old. I live in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where my chong ene says snowy mountains rise up right at the edge of our city.
Dear Aidana, a city with mountains rising right at its edge deserves a very scenic flyover, your chong ene picked a truly majestic hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Can I get a Santa shirt? My agai wants a matching one for our whole family photo this year.
Santa themed shirts are easy to find this time of year, Aidana, plenty of styles for the whole family to match. Your agai sounds like he has a wonderfully festive plan for the photo.
My chong ene says Bishkek sits at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains. Is that true?
It is true, Aidana, the Tian Shan mountains rise dramatically just beyond your city, a truly stunning backdrop. I always enjoy that snowy, majestic view flying in to visit you.
My chong ene says many families in Kyrgyzstan still have strong nomadic herding traditions. Is that true?
It is true, Aidana, nomadic herding traditions remain an important part of Kyrgyz culture, families moving with their animals across the mountains and valleys. That kind of steady, resourceful way of living is really something worth admiring.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Aidana Toktosunova
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
P.S. Will you wear a matching shirt for the family photo too?
Only briefly, Aidana, my suit has served me well in every photo so far.
