Postcard from Bishkek

I have a friend who “loves” maps … he’ll spend hours pouring over them, studying them in minute detail, saying the place names over and over to himself … whereas most of us would only occasionally use one as a reference work, to him – an atlas is a “good read”. I once joked with […]

A couple of weeks ago there was an interesting news report which said that an project established with the aim of helping the development of tourism in Kyrgyzstan had identified the ten most popular sites in the Chui oblast here in Northern Kyrgyzstan. The results were based on requests for information that they had received […]

Kyrgyzstan is sometimes described as an “Unknown Land”, as in “Discover the unknown land of Kyrgyzstan”. That’s always struck me as odd … Although, in one way, to some people, (many people?, most people?), it may well be “unknown”, but others have long been familiar with it, its attractions and charms: the beauty and diversity […]

The other day Maxim, one of the kids, asked for help with his homework. Now, call me mean, but I am not too keen on helping them with their homework … There’s a number of reasons for my reluctance: I am old-fashioned enough to think that they should do the work and if I end […]

During the week I had an interesting lesson in the power of the internet.  One of my friends on Facebook posted the following status on their wall: It’s international book week. The rules: Grab the closest book to you, turn to page 52, post the 5th sentence as your status. Don’t mention the title. Copy the rules as part of […]

Maps are fascinating.  I could spend hours pouring over them and every time I look at one, no matter how many times I have looked as a particular map, I am sure that I will find something new. A map is a visual representation something, (usually a geographical area), symbolically highlighting relationships between things.  They normally used […]

When it comes to promoting Kyrgyzstan, whether as a tourist destination or a suitable place to invest and do business, it is generally agreed that we need some sort of brand or image.  However, it is not so easy to agree on one which embodies all aspects of the country and what it has to […]

Today happens to be International Biodiversity Day, and when I was thinking about today’s postcard my mind went back to a series of articles which used to appear in the Bishkek based newspaper “Obshestniye Reiting“, (“Public Rating”), called “The Magnificent Seven“.  One of which was entitled: “The seven rarest animals in Kyrgyzstan.” It is not […]

It was announced last week that the government have decided on a new slogan for Kyrgyzstan: “Heart of Asia“. At last we do seem to be seeing some action from the government on this front – we’ve seen very little progress, (although not for the lack of trying), since the last plan for the development […]

An “ABC” or “Alphabet book” is probably one of the first books that a person is ever given.  Such books are designed to teach younger readers letters of the alphabet … often presenting each letter with words that start with that letter and/or images and sentences using the word. A while ago I posted a postcard called “An ABC of Kyrgyzstan, here is […]