“I was born in Naryn, later moved with my family to Bishkek, and now I reside in Anchorage, Alaska. My job as a cook in the Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn hotels began when I was studying at the Faculty of Tourism at the Kyrgyz Economic University. I found my first job in a hotel while studying when I went to Turkey on a study program. I really liked Antalya, and I spent 10 years there working as a waitress, at the reception, and as a hostess. At the Maxx Royal hotel, I even mastered the art of chocolate making and became a pastry chef,” Aigerim shares her memories.
Over time, she decided to move to the United States and contacted an agency, after which she boarded a plane for a one-year term.
“The hotels have a morning service, and my job is to heat up already prepared frozen food. I am happy to live in Alaska; it reminds me of my native Naryn. The summer here is wonderful: tall trees, many walking trails, and sports are part of the locals' daily life. You can pick wild berries like raspberries and blueberries, as well as catch large fish. With the onset of winter, I skate on frozen bodies of water, where hot tea and coffee are offered. The city regularly hosts interesting events,” Temirbekova recounts.
She also noted that in Alaska, you can see many wild animals such as bears, moose, and eagles.
“The Northern Lights are known to many, and the sunsets and sunrises here are simply mesmerizing. Sometimes even at night, the horizon turns red, and it seems that the sky is closer and the moon is larger. There are street signs in Russian, and I often see the word ‘ПИОНЕР’ (Pioneer). The locals are friendly and always ready to help; many of them have purebred dogs. I noticed that there are twice as many huskies in Alaska as in Kyrgyzstan. There are many immigrants from the Philippines and India, and by communicating with them, I learned that they choose Alaska for its clean air and kind people,” Aigerim adds.
Recently, she encountered a wild moose in the park: “It jumped out from behind the trees and chased after me. In the end, it switched to another woman who climbed a tree out of fear. I froze, not knowing how to hide, but then the moose left on its own. Moose attacks on people are quite common here,” she recounts.
Her husband, of Turkish nationality, is named Doğancan Doğan. “We met when I was working in a hotel in Turkey. At first, I accidentally called him Soğan, which means onion, and he got very angry. But three days later, he came to me to apologize. We both value calmness and sincerity in communication. He immediately confessed that he liked me. Our first walks lasted about an hour, and soon we discussed our wedding. Some acquaintances were not thrilled with my choice, but my parents approved. A traditional ‘kız uzatуу’ (bride's farewell) took place in my homeland, and then there was a wedding in Turkey. I knew about Turkish culture, so there were no major issues.
We arrived in Alaska together. In my free time, when the weather is not pleasant, I read books. On clear days, we try to explore new places and plan travel routes,” Temirbekova says.
In the future, she dreams of visiting other states and plans to open a travel agency in Alaska, as there are many interesting locations here.
“I haven't met other Kyrgyz in Alaska yet, but I’ve heard that many would like to come here. I want to say that it’s not that cold here, so it’s worth coming,” Aigerim concludes.
