http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?fid4ct=39992 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:43:00 EDT Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:00:03 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss RapidFeeds v0.1 -- http://www.rapidfeeds.com A few years ago, we had an enquiry from a tourist who wanted to come to Kyrgyzstan “to see the apples”. This caught me by surprise. Why? http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1435 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5686775 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:32:00 EDT What do you think? http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1533 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5686697 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:43:00 EDT Who are Kyrgyzstan's Traffic Police http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1521 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5686696 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:42:00 EDT This was written a few years ago and is based on an answer to an enquiry we received by email from someone who was planning to bring their own vehicle to Kyrgyzstan. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1443 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5685184 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:44:00 EDT Have you ever noticed how something happens to people whenever they get behind the steering wheel of car? It’s as if the body of the car becomes a shell and the driver takes on a new persona. They become aggressive, selfish, thoughtless, inconsiderate to other road users – pedestrians as well as other drivers – and possessive – of the road and their place an it as much as of the vehicle itself – as if they own it. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1439 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5685183 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:43:00 EDT The 8,400 square kilometers of Kyrgyzstan’s glaciers, which account four per cent of the country’s territory, are now receding at a rate more than three times as fast as in the 1950s, the Institute of Hydro Energy at the National Academy of Sciences in Bishkek stated. http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7375570-snow-leopard-survival-chances-melting-away-along-with-glaciers http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681990 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:55:00 EDT a Peace Corps blog http://kyrgyzjaunt.blogspot.com/ http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681987 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:55:00 EDT The ICRC delegation in Kyrgyzstan assists victims of violence and visits detainees. It promotes international humanitarian law (IHL) and other relevant bodies of law and their integration into: national legislation and educational programmes; and the practices of armed forces and law-enforcement services. It helps build the capacity of the Kyrgyz Red Crescent Society http://www.icrc.org/eng/where-we-work/asia-pacific/kyrgyzstan/index.jsp http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681986 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:54:00 EDT A review http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/movies/the-light-thief-its-as-if-robin-hood-worked-for-the-power-company/article1803196/ http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681985 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:53:00 EDT A review http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/891647--the-light-thief-a-transporting-post-soviet-parable http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681983 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:52:00 EDT Exchanges Connect is an international online community managed by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs that highlights first-person stories about cultures, commonalities, and exchange program experiences. http://connect.state.gov/group/kyrgyzstan http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681982 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:50:00 EDT For those of us involved in tourism, we used to understand the acronym as World Tourism Organization – a UN agency which brought together the members of the United Nations to consider issues relating to one of the World’s major industries … but a few years ago we had to get used to a new acronym as it changed its name to UNWTO – The United Nations World Tourism Organization. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1145 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681977 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:50:00 EDT At the moment I am trying to read ‘News from Tatary‘ by Peter Fleming, originally published in 1936 and telling the story of his 3500 mile journey from Peking through the, then, mysterious province of Sinkiang to India with the Swiss journalist Ella Maillart. Apparently she also wrote an account of the journey, ‘Forbidden Journey’ – which apparently differs in many respects from his. Although I have read her book ‘Turkestan Solo’ about her exploits in Soviet Central Asia, I haven’t been able to track down a copy of Forbidden Journey … It’s difficult to get English books here in Kyrgyzstan. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1142 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681976 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:49:00 EDT There is one task that I really dislike and tend to put off if I possibly can … going to the bank. Today I didn’t really have much choice. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=1133 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681974 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:48:00 EDT Prospect Chui is the one of the main thoroughfares of the city. It stretches along the entire length of the city from East to West. Entering the city from the West it carries the main road from Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Taraz (formerly Djambul in Kazakhstan) and Kara Balta (Kyrgyzstan – and hence the main road from Osh). After traversing the city centre it eventually ends in a T-junction with Cholpon Atinskaya Street in the Alamdemin microdistricts to the East of the city. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=920 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681972 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:48:00 EDT Bishkek does not have regular organised city tours – although as a capital city it does have it’s fair share of interesting, important government building, museums, theatres, shops, monuments etc. The city centre is quite small and can easily be walked. A walk around the city centre along the following itinerary covers most of the important of these. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=918 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681971 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:47:00 EDT I came across an interesting article recently which proclaimed that “the best way to explore a city is on foot.” I thought to myself, “how true”, although I was a bit surprised by some of the editor’s selections for ten of the best cities for walking in ... http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=913 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681969 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:46:00 EDT I don’t often get to look at the Sydney Morning Herald – after all, Sydney is an awful long way from Bishkek, but a tweet on Twitter sent me to an interesting article: “Why would anyone want to go there?” by Ben Groundwater – aka The Backpacker. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=937 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681968 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:45:00 EDT Kuman Ait is also known as Eid al-Adha (or the “Feast of Sacrifice”) and is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar. http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=737 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681967 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:44:00 EDT I keep getting questions about the Celestial Mountains Logo. Some people like it – “it’s simple and easily recognizable” … others don’t – “it’s too complicated” they say. It is has been suggested to me that a plain white stripe would be better than the more complicated design that we have at the moment. Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion … http://blog.ianbek.kg/?p=710 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5681966 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:42:00 EDT This week we have: • added 35 new • updated 3 entry • deleted 0 entries ... making a total of 927 featured entries and 2998 individual links about life in and travel to Kyrgyzstan. http://www.links.kg http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677572 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:15:00 EDT The First Mayor of Bishkek http://ianbek.kg/terentiev_-_the_first_mayor_of_bishkek.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677555 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:14:00 EDT A important issue in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/housing_and_construction.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677553 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:14:00 EDT Time to eat humble pie http://ianbek.kg/we_all_make_mistakes.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677551 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:13:00 EDT A new trend in Bishkek - Fences http://ianbek.kg/ http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677537 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:13:00 EDT Inspiration from a blogger http://ianbek.kg/ http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677535 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:12:00 EDT Some experiences of a tourist in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/conversation with a tourist.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677533 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:10:00 EDT Why they won't fit onto a "postcard" http://ianbek.kg/writing_postcards.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677532 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:09:00 EDT Saviour of the 1917 revolution in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/logvinenko.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677508 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:08:00 EDT One of the leaders of the 1917 revolution in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/ivanitsyn.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677507 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:07:00 EDT Public holiday in Kyrgyzstan - what's it all about? http://ianbek.kg/october_17th_-_the_russian_revolution.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5677505 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:06:00 EDT Why the November 5th may not have been a good day for Kyrgyzstan's new parliament to start work http://ianbek.kg/remember,_remember____.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5661486 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:16:00 EDT Who was "Our Lady of Kazan" - and why celebrate? http://ianbek.kg/our_lady_of_kazan.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5661482 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:15:00 EDT Support you local police - and help them celebrate http://ianbek.kg/police_day.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5661481 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:14:00 EDT A film classic, Sullivan's Travels, and its relevance in Kyrgyzstan today http://ianbek.kg http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5661478 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:11:00 EDT What does Halloween mean in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/halloween.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5661470 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:09:00 EDT An update on the Karakol orphanage and Microfinance operations http://ianbek.kg/karakol_orphanage_update.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5661469 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:07:00 EDT This week we have 33 new entries making a total of 857 featured entries and 2678 individual links about life in and travel to Kyrgyzstan. http://links.kg http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638496 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:49:00 EDT A personal view on the last week in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/no_news_is_good_news.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638495 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:48:00 EDT A brief note about an artist from Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/theodore_hertzen.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638494 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:47:00 EDT A long awaited new edition of the Central Asia Guide http://ianbek.kg/a_new_lonely_planet.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638493 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:46:00 EDT Kyrgyzstan's position in some international surveys http://ianbek.kg/transparency.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638492 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:46:00 EDT Comment on an unusually interesting meeting http://ianbek.kg/customs_union.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638491 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:45:00 EDT Comment on a controversial Donor project http://ianbek.kg/comment_on_a_donor_project.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638488 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:44:00 EDT A note about Kyrgyzstan’s political parties http://ianbek.kg/party_time.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5638487 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:42:00 EDT Where is Kyrgyzstan? and does it matter? http://ianbek.kg/location,_location,_location.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626335 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:43:00 EDT Last week in Kyrgyzstan http://ianbek.kg/ppf.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626334 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:40:00 EDT Jesse, Svetlana's globetrotting friend from the States (who wiped the floor with me at ten-pin bowling), is on his way back home. Typically, he's chosen a route which is far from direct - taking in nine more countries, (if you count the airport transfers), and visiting the Baltic States and Finland en route. http://ianbek.kg/street_bears.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626318 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:39:00 EDT To help preserve the priceless, pristine, virgin, natural resources that it possesses, Kyrgyzstan has a total of 83 Specially Protected Natural Territories, (SPNT), with a total area of about 800,000 hectares, which is 4% of Kyrgyzstan’s total land area. http://ianbek.kg/national_parks.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626314 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:38:00 EDT : 10 years of CBT Kochkor http://ianbek.kg/on_jill_-_10_years.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626307 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:35:00 EDT Going to a wedding http://ianbek.kg/tying_the_knot.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626306 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:35:00 EDT 57 new and 1 updated entry ... making a total of 824 featured entries and 2715 individual links about Kyrgyzstan. http://www.links.kg: http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5626305 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:33:00 EDT This week: 54 new and 3 updated entries, a total of 765 entries with 2537 individual links about travel to Kyrgyzstan. http://www.links.kg http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5608155 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:57:00 EDT Where are we now ... now that the election is over? http://ianbek.kg/treading_water.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5608128 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:44:00 EDT A mathematical conundrum http://ianbek.kg/numbers,_numbers____.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5608127 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:44:00 EDT ... or is it? http://ianbek.kg/ http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5608125 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:43:00 EDT A common question ... http://ianbek.kg/where_is_it.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5608124 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:42:00 EDT An evening's ten pin bowling in Bishkek http://ianbek.kg http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5608123 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:41:00 EDT A description of election day - 10/10/10 http://www.ianbek.kg/an_auspicious_date.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5589190 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:00:03 EDT One of the journalists caught me off guard with a "throw away" remark. He works for a US paper and commented that his editor was looking for reasons "why Americans should care about what happens in the election." http://www.ianbek.kg/why_should_we_care____.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5589066 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:00:10 EDT Thoughts written on the eve of Kyrgyzstan's historic, landmark election process. It has, indeed, been a remarkable process ... but what next?. http://www.ianbek.kg/decision_time.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5589065 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:00:08 EDT As I walked out of the office one morning last week, I was struck by the sight that greeted me ... http://www.ianbek.kg/falling_leaves.htm http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5586407 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 06:00:00 EDT