Postcard from Bishkek

In the west, the “May Day” holiday is associated with the Labour movement, and the former Soviet Union – with images of parades in Red Square.  It may not seem surprising then that a former Soviet Republic decided to keep with tradition and commemorate this day as a national holiday.

This week has been like trying to solve a gigantic jigsaw puzzle. It seems as if I have left the land of reality and have settled to live in a land of rumour and counter rumour, speculation and supposition, ambiguity and indecision, doubt and uncertainty.  There is a constant stream of News reports, gossip and [...]