November 1, 2005

• This past weekend, I visited another Central Asian country - Kyrgyzstan.  All the Central Asian "stans" probably all seem similar to most people, and that's what I thought, too, but oh man, was Kyrgyzstan a big change!  As you may have heard, a revolution happened there a few months ago... and though there was looting... it was mostly peaceful.  I will not say much more about certain comparisons, but here are some pictures:

  
  

  

  
  

  A delicious hamburger can be eaten in Bishkek, the capital.  I was happy.

  
  

  

  
  

  This building looks like it could be in E. Europe, not Central Asia.

  
  

  

  
  

  The older people sometimes wear hats that look like this.  This is at a pro-gov't rally in Bishkek.  The younger people all dress VERY chic, VERY European.  No women wear long skirts.  I was wearing one and everyone was staring at me. (maybe also because it was cold)

  
  

  

  
  

  There are some very obvious legacies of the Soviet Union here, including more Russians and more people speaking Russian.  And Lenin, in spirit.

  
  

  

  
  

  No octagonal red sign for stop.  Just "stop", written in Cyrrilic.

  
  

  

  
  

  Inside the airport.  Models of "yurts", traditional Kyrgyz homes.

  
  

  

  
  

  And the US has some planes at the airport.  This plane was BIG and LOUD, like us.

  
  

  I spent most of my time at Lake Issy-Kul, the second largest lake in the world, next to Lake Titicaca.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  Doesn't this look like New England?

  
  

  

  
  

  This was in our hotel room. Guess what it is.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  Women selling dried fish from the lake. Notice how much more "Asian" Kyrgyz people look (girl on left).

  • 6:25 am
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