Bishkek Hapenings

It's been too long since the first post from Bishkek... That's a sign that things have settled into a routine, perhaps. Research is coming along slowly, connections are coming along quickly, since there are so many wonderful people to meet in Bishkek! Most days find me wandering the city a bit, meeting friends and colleagues, and snapping a precious few pictures. Here are just a couple shots of the city. I need to get them posted before all the snow melts and these become horribly out of date... Also, they are a bit hazy because coal fires and car exhaust keep the city warm.

Lenin waves "hello" on the way to the University where I am based.
Often there are small protests on this square.

Soldiers guard the flagpole, the warrior guards the square.
In the background is the national museum.

A highlight of last week was giving a presentation to International Relations undergraduate students on how to get into gradate school in the United States. The presentation was fun and the students had some great questions: for the record, if your email starts with BadBoy31@... you might want to get a new address before you start emailing admissions departments!

In just a few short weeks the routine will change again as research and travel pick up. Never a dull moment!

An empty building on the main drag, Chui.
Shows the reach of American advertising: Don Draper would be proud.

Me in the snazzy apartment! Had a few guests over a couple weeks ago (hence Jiselle in the background); yesterday friends came over to lead a plov-making workshop. Pictures perhaps to follow, too bad I can't share the delicious plov with you all!