My parents came out recently for a two-week tour of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Despite the torrential rain in Kazakhstan, we all managed to have a good time and my father even picked up some dombra playing skills (on display above!) Here, we are enjoying a lunch of manti (Kazakh style dumplings filled with meat and onions and, on occasion, pumpkin) and shahlik (kebabs) in a yurt with Kazakh friends.