(Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)
Jason Bates, a current student from Utah Valley University, was able to travel to three Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan in May of 2012. This is part three of his three-nation report. Report on Kyrgyzstan Jason Bates, Political Science Major, Utah Valley University Kyrgyzstan was the most interesting country that I visited, and the one that (thankfully) I was able to spend the most time in. While in Kyrgyzstan I met many wonderful people associated with both the International University of Kyrgyzstan and the University of Central Asia. Both institutions show the promise that Kyrgyzstan has for a potentially promising future. Both of these Universities are within Bishkek, the capital city. Bishkek, I have read, was the greenest (in the botanical sense, not the environmental modern sense) capital in the Soviet Union. And, after my visit, I can believe it. Strikingly beautiful, long parks dot the city, and trees abound. The site of slowly fluttering seeds and the smell of life were welcome additions to my breakfast routine in the city. Not only was the city beautiful, the people were (aside from one incident with the police) friendly and helpful. The relatively large American presence in the area due to the airbase at Manas is helped me feel not as foreign as I otherwise would have. With a large population of Russians still living in the city, it was also easier to blend in. Kyrgyzstan is strikingly beautiful with its jagged, high mountains, its large, deep lake of Issyk Kul, and the large, green city of Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan’s status as a highly mountainous nation has led it to play a large part in the development of mountain
awareness. The issues that confront Kyrgyzstan as a mountainous nation are issues of prominence for all mountainous areas. Kyrgyzstan offered wonderful opportunities for hiking, and the Tien Shen mountains near Bishkek and lake Issyk Kul were stunning. Even to a Utah native used to the spectacle of the Wasatch and Rocky Mountains. Lake Issyk Kul is the second largest mountain lake in the world, and is a budding and future site for regional and international tourism during the summer. My drive into Issyk Kul from Bishkek (about three hours) was stunning. And the roadwork that is being done by a Chinese firm is sure to increase the lakes accessibility to the region. One interesting thing to note about Kyrgyzstan is the presence of the Turks in commerce. A large Turkish investment appears to be being made in the capital of Bishkek at least. Large shopping malls, stores, and Turkish goods abound. The link to Turkey is proudly flaunted with Turkish flags being flown side by side with Kyrgyz flags at these areas. The relative strength between the Turkish commercial connection and the U.S.' is something that will warrant further attention to potentially interested investors.