» Travel Erstwhile USSR

Kyrgyzstan came to me

BMG Admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:20:32 +0000

Kyrgyzstan comprises of 7 provinces looked after by chosen governors. The capital, Bishkek(city), Batken, Chui, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, Osh (province),Talas, Issyk-Kul and Osh (city)are great places to visit. It has strong trade ties with china, Germany and former soviet nations. If you’re in the suburbs or rural areas you’ll notice that most trade occurs in a local manner extending to the sale of fuel in daily use utensils. Since trade isn’t always state governed, it’s essential that tourists don’t get into deals with locals as there’s a possibility of unfair trade. If you are scouring the bazaar, make sure you befriend a local or have the ability to shamelessly haggle in a convincing manner

A brief introduction to the Kazakh past

BMG Admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:50:03 +0000

Here’s Kazakhstan for you, one of the only places that is named just right. It is named after the Kazakh people who were Turkic-speaking former nomads before soviet dominance and modern wars. If you’re in Kazakhstan you’ll be amazed at the various nationalities that thrive here. Starting with the Kazakhs, there is a Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, German, Tatar, Uzbek, Uyghur, and Korean presence. Most locals speak Kazakh and Russian. It has been a haven for emigrants in the past, so much so, that the Kazakhs themselves were outnumbered. The capital city of Almaty will certainly mesmerize you. Just a reminder, it’s not as tiny as most other soviet republics.

The Georgian retreat

BMG Admin — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:00:51 +0000

If you heard people around you speaking Georgian, Russian, Abkhaz (in the Abkhazian ASSR) and Ossetic (in the South Ossetian AO, then you have arrived at Georgia. Despite disturbing bombing tales in modern days, it’s a super developing country that’s fought hard with corruption and lived by straight communist principles. The capital city of Tbilisi is hard to miss and once here you’ll realize that there are very few natural water bodies in Estonia. Prior to being a part of the USSR, it was a part of the Transcaucasian SFSR and now stands proud as the Republic of Georgia since 1991.

Beauty of Azerbaijan

BMG Admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:30:05 +0000

Just the rhythmic name in itself is enough to attract many a tourists’ attention. Azerbaijan is an establishment of the 20^th century but stepping into this century, it ensured it’s past and present combined to make it a modern face today. With great oil production history it has been an economic stronghold over the years. After breaking away from the soviet it became a part of the Commonwealth of Independent States and has had a strained relationship with Armenia. Despite having been witness to many wars in the past and an army studded environment, Azerbaijan continues to sport a successful outlook at the onset of this century.

The Byelorussian Soviet

BMG Admin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:10:02 +0000

Known popularly as Belarus as the world knows it, the country is a former constituent of the USSR. The republic of Belarus came into its own in 1991. When visiting Belarus, the popular cities are Minsk, Brest, Gomel (Homel), Hrodna (Grodno), Mogilev (Mahilyow), Vitebsk (Vitsebsk) and Bobruisk (Babruysk). What amazes one, is the different races that live here in harmony. You’ll find traces of different former soviet bloodlines along with a Belarusians, Polish, Ukrainians and Russians dominance. Having outlived Nazi Germany rule, it’s got a rich past and is at the same time a modern European haven that attracts many.

Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic

BMG Admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:01:48 +0000

When you think of Armenia, one does slightly drift into history and its Bolshevik past. Politically it has had troubled relationships with Turkey and Azerbaijan but does maintain a friendly rapport with its neighbors, Georgia, Russia and Iran. Formerly a constituent of USSR, it came into its own in 1991. Due to its active political past, one things sure, that stepping into Armenia will help you value cultural diversity because the nationals here boast of multiple races. Certainly the people here have picked up cues from the past and manage a very cordial present. With its ottoman past, you’ll still see vivid traces of art and past cultures thriving in modern day society.