http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/turkmenistan-stranger-in-a-very-strange-land-1814127.html
Its ruler re-named the days of the week after himself and his mother. Opera, ballet and the circus are banned. To get a driving licence, citizens must sit an exam on the dead leader’s autobiography. Welcome to Turkmenistan.
By Shaun Walker
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Landing in Ashgabat, there's no sign telling you where you are. No "Welcome to Ashgabat", no "Ashgabat International Airport, Terminal One" or anything of the sort. Instead, atop the terminal building, there is simply an embossed shiny head; the profile of a middle-aged man in gold.
Turkmenistan has done its best to keep out journalists for the past decade, and has long been an unattainable dream for Moscow correspondents like myself. But due, it seemed, to some kind of administrative error, they had let a few of us in, ostensibly to cover a tedious-sounding Investment Forum, and here I was stepping off the plane into one of the world's most isolated and bizarre countries.
Continued at link ^
CIA factbook on Turkmenistan:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tx.html
that was a very good article.
AntwortenLöschenDo we now start worying that they may be ¨rescued ¨ by the USA for their gas?
Nothing was said about government strong arm tactics or cruelty.
Does that mean that everyone is happy?
Vain dictators are bound to have arms of mass destruction dont they(just kidding)
All in all its amazing that situations like this still exist.
I would like to visit there
AntwortenLöschenhttp://www.audleytravel.com/Destinations/North-And-Central-Asia/Countries-and-Regions/Central-Asia/Countries/Turkmenistan/Introduction.aspx?gclid=CJqRtY7X850CFUYA4wod3E5XIg
Deserving of so much more than its recent political history allowed, Turkmenistan is a beautiful and welcoming country with much to offer.This sparsely-populated country is home to a proud nomadic people famous for their fine Akhal Teke horses, huge, shaggy woollen hats and exquisite carpets. Turkmenistan boasts one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites at Merv, inhabited for more than 7,000 years, as well as some of Central Asia’s best wildlife trekking, close to the Afghan border at Badkhyz.
Next week I will be working promoting Turkey at Excel London- World Travel Market 2009
Turkmenistan have exhibitors - usually near us and I will go visit them ( they speak Turkish ) and see what they have to offer ..
http://www.wtmlondon.com/page.cfm?searchID=290
Here is lovely page about Nomadic culture
http://www.turkmenistanembassy.org/turkmen/history/hist_cult.html
"Water is a Turkmen's life, a horse is his wings, and a carpet is his soul"
AntwortenLöschenThanks Jan, I wasn't sure if there was any relation to Turkiye. A linguistic one then?
AntwortenLöschenRoel - re: gas. Only a matter of time, looking at who their neighbours are.
Water is everybody lives,at least everything that lives.
AntwortenLöschenyes but thats only one third of the old Turkman proverb ,,,,
AntwortenLöschennow comment on the other two third which indicate water is necesaary for his existence but horse & carpet for his spiritual needs ( we all know living things need water !!! )
"Water is a Turkmen's life, a horse is his wings, and a carpet is his soul"
Their spirits are all around you in the marketplace. From the sour smell of kumys, fermented mare's milk, to the elegant designs stitched in the blankets and saddles for sale. From the excited murmur overheard of the upcoming buzkashi game (like rugby on horseback, with a calf or goat carcass soaked in water instead of a ball) to the pulse of anticipation for the upcoming Holiday of the Turkmen Horse. Even the manta you hand over in exchange at the bazaar has a watermark of one on the bill. There is a reason an old proverb claims, "Water is a Turkmen's life, a horse is his wings, and a carpet is his soul." Horses are at the center of Turkmenistan's culture, even today.
Horses arrived in Central Asia almost 10,000 years ago from across the Bering Strait. An isolated life in the Kara Kum Desert slowly evolved them into a breed apart: the Akhal-Tekke. With light frames, small hooves that are rarely shod, short or no manes, big eyes, long ears, and, traditionally, a golden color, Akhal-Tekkes are perfectly adapted to life in the desert. They are known throughout the world for their speed, grace, and loyalty to their owners.
The ancient people who lived in present-day Turkmenistan found these horses to be perfect companions for their nomadic lives. The area lacked any form of central government structure; the people belonged to tribes. Every family within a tribe owned at least one or two to help with daily chores of herding, with traveling, and with fleeing when enemies got too close. Horses were cared for like one of the family. "Getting up in the morning, greet your father, then see your horse," is an ancient Turkmen saying.
Because of Central Asia's location between the western Byzantine and the eastern Chinese empires, the land now known as Turkmenistan was a thorough-fare for trading. Khans, or tribal chieftains, had men fight and raid for their tribes. The warriors not only battled other tribes, but they also raided caravans of trade goods and were known for their lightning-fast attacks. A quick horse was a necessity for these warriors, and yet, often far from their families, their horses were also the only objects they had for affection and attention.
There are a quite number of Turkish speaking nomadic tribes in Iran and all the - istan countries
AntwortenLöschenThe Turkmen Nomads are said to have the most beautiful girls -stunning
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/sambarker/1/1247733299/turkmen-girls.jpg/tpod.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJXBjag1aQY