The capital itself however is much more than you might imagine - and yet much less than it could be. Cafes and restaurants are plenty, absurd amount of parks (excuses for yet another communism monument) contribute to the relaxed and easy-going (if these words can be applied to any city east of Istanbul) feel and the nightlife definitely doesn't bring the word 'islam' to mind.
But in the very centre, post and telecom bunkers offices dominate the Chuy and Soviet crossing just as the Russian language dominates Kyrgyz. It seems as if not much, save marshrutkas, has really moved forward here in the last 20 years. And even if mineral water (or spirits) sold per glass on the street are a nice change from bottled cola, they hardly mean progress.And in the countryside things get worse.
Infrastructure, previously cared for by the Soiuz, is falling apart. Deteriorating roads and electric lines gradually cut off once prosperous regions, living conditions in rural areas are decreasing. And the appaling public education level makes sure things stay that >way.
The money brought in by the tourism, spent on audis as old as the local 'democratic' system here is as far as possible from answering these problems. I can't quite put my finger on it yet, but it's not about money (well, sure, it is, but there's something more).
Current president has just been reelected, which is no wonderconsidering he controls all the media and his rivals had campaign budgets similar to the one I have for the trip. Which frankly isn't much - nor does it suggest a very optimistic nearby future. I have some more assorted notes, so these should be one moreKyrgyzstan post. FOTO placeholders will be filled when I get home. With camera phone pictures (never again! - argh).
3 komentarze:
zdjęcie numer 1 wywołało bardzo pozytywne wspomnienia..
sam dokonałeś porównania, porównując - mi by nawet przez myśl to nie przeszło, choć szkoda - podobno heretycy mają ciekawsze życie :]
hmmm... interesujące...
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