Archive sections: ‘From an Expat’
As I look at site history log, it seems as if I had nothing else to do all month … and I wouldn’t blame you for coming to that conclusion based on that evidence. The month is not half way through and there over thirty pages have already been added – more than in any [...]
Yesterday Sultan, one of our staff, wished me “Happy Holiday”, which took me a little bit by surprise, because it wasn’t a public holiday and I couldn’t think what he was talking about. I shouldn’t have been that surprised, because it happens quite a lot and I should be getting used to it. The locals [...]
This is an email that I sent out to family and friends, colleagues and clients following the events of April 7th, 2010, when Kyrgyzstan found itself in the headlines once again as the result of what one newspaper called the “Easter Revolution” Let me start this “postcard” with some thanks, an apology and an explanation: [...]
April 7th, 2010, and once again Kyrgyzstan hits the headlines in the world’s media. Disorder, violence and bloodshed provide good material for journalists.
I remember on my first visit to Bishkek, back in 1994, wandering through the city center and being brought up short, surprised to hear a soprano practicing her scales as we passed some classical edifice. Tony turned to me and asked why I was surprised … “You are not in a cultural wilderness you know.”
The list of official holidays in Kyrgyzstan is an eclectic mix of secular celebrations (such as New Year), the commemoration of national events (such as Independence Day and Constitution Day), holidays held over from the days of the Soviet Union (such as Army Day, International Women’s Day, May Day, Victory Day and the anniversary of the [...]
A few years ago, in 2005, the Malvern Gazette ran a story about the Tulip Revolution here in Kyrgyzstan. It might seem a bit odd that a local newspaper in Britain ran a story about events here in Central Asia, even if they did result in the fall of the government, the president of the [...]
One of the most enjoyable extra curricula activities which I used to participate in when I was a schoolteacher back in Britain, was taking a group ice skating. Now, I am not a particularly good as an ice-skater. There is no way that I could perform figure skating, ice-dancing or play in an ice hockey [...]
For some reason I am often invited to give a talk to a group of students. At first, I was in demand as a “native English speaker” and asked to meet with a class of English language students, so that they could practice their skills in a Question and Answer session. That was always quite [...]
A week has passed since the events of the Easter Revolution which took place on April 7th … and life in Bishkek is returning to normal. How can I tell?
