Rosa chose the word “Бактылуу” (“Happyness” in Kyrgyz). Rosa was born in a modest family in Tadjikistan and moved to Kyrgyzstan when she was young. She is now a shopkeeper in the slum and sells tea, Snickers, vodka and an array of ridiculously sweet drinks kept in her fridge. She told me she is happy simply because she has a job and has kids, and even a grandchild!
We’ve known Rosa for a few weeks now because we’ve been getting our water from her shop, and she’s been cooking for us. Knowing her, it was easy to guess that she would choose the word “happiness”.
Seb Toussaint 