Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Only statue of Lenin in Central Asia

 Kyrgyzstan. Bishek. Most people don't know where these places are, and I'll be honest, neither did I until a good friend of mine was sent there by the NGO she works for. What an opportunity to really go off the beaten track and live up to my reputation as an adventurer!  

On my arrival, and to my dismay, Becky announced that she would only be able to take one day off, giving us a long weekend together. The rest of the time was mine to fill, and in an under-developed ex-soviet country where an English-speaker is hard to come by, the idea of this left me slightly terrified. 

The National Historical Museum, Bishkek

 Clutcing my guide book and map, I ventured into the town centre, where I quickly realised that as long as I kept my wits about me, there really was nothing to be afraid of.

Laid out in a grid-like pattern of large, wide boulevards, it's history as an ex-soviet state is unmistakable. Public buildings hold pride of place: 'The White House', the presidential office building, is a heavily guarded large building surrounded by manicured gardens and huge gate; the National Historical Museum is a large, sqaure building, opposite the city's main square, Ala-Too, another well manicured space.

Ala Too Square, Bishkek

 The city is dotted with soviet sculptures, including a massive Lenin, the only statue of him left in Central Asia - all the rest were destroyed once the countries gained their independence!

Typical soviet-style blocks, Bishkek

 All this grandeur in the very centre of town contrasts hugely with the crumbling soviet-style apartment blocks throughout the rest of the city, the poverty and  general uncleanliness of the streets, the beggars, the lack of street lights and huge potholes in the pavements. 

Local men chatting

The infrastructure isn't really there to support tourists but, once I made an effort to speak a couple of words in Russian (I didn't attempt to speak Kyrgyz!), people mellowed a little!