Kyrgyz locals in Mammoth

I just had dinner last night with a couple in town who have spent a lot of time in Kyrgyzstan, John and Nancy Walters, and with a native Kyrgyz guy who's staying with them, named Ulugbek. Nancy is a cultural anthropologist, and used to teach at a University over there. She lived there in the early 90's, when things were really bad, following the breakup of the Soviet Union. They became very close to a Kyrgyz family, whom Nancy calls her second family, and have had the kids stay with them in Mammoth for extended periods of time. Last night, she called one of the kids on Skype, who is now 22 and living in London. When this girl was in grade school, she was taught by a Peace Corps Volunteer, so she was really excited to hear from us and to meet me. Skype is awesome. Anyways, she assured me that the riding is good in Kyrgyzstan, especially near Karakol, where they recently bought snowmaking equipment. I'm going to hit up Mammoth Mountain and Wave Rave to try to get some gear sent over there as donations. It was incredible to be able to talk with these people, and to learn more about what I'm getting into. In some ways, the adventure has already begun. Thanks, John, Nancy, and Bek, and especially Dinah, who introduced me to these fascinating people.