New employees take a trip to Central Asia for the 1st time- PREX Island
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New employees take a trip to Central Asia for the 1st time
Lunch in Kyrgyz. Prof. Belov and Kana Koguchi
I had assumed Central Asia was a cluster of similar countries, as their names carry the same suffix “stan.” But when I actually went there for the first time, I discovered that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz and Uzbekistan each have distinctive characteristics. So I will introduce them here.
The streets of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s old capital, resemble those of Europe, and it is a metropolis of towering trees and stylish buildings. There are several advertisements made of LCD panels in the center dividers of wide, expressway-like streets. I was left with the impression of a modern metropolis.
The instant we arrived at the airport in Kyrgyz, a big crowd of people approached to get us to take their taxis, putting us under pressure. The capital Bishkek is compact, so getting around didn’t take much time. The Kyrgyz people are frank, open and brimming with warmth. The country’s biggest bazaar, Osh, is a bustling place, giving the impression — along with the touts at the airport — that Kyrgyz is a robust and lively country.
Finally, as for Uzbekistan, Shuichi Kato in his 1959 book titled “Travels in Uzbekistan, Croatia and Kerala,” wrote, “When people look at this city, which lies in the center of Central Asia, everyone is suddenly overwhelmed by its modernity. It would probably take some effort for the surprise to wear off.” The book was written 56 years ago. I had exactly the same impression during our recent trip. I was surprised at the beauty that came from the careful attention paid to road maintenance and grass in public squares. The way Islamic culture remains firmly rooted is also charming.
As mentioned above, the three countries have their own characteristics. Still, hammer and sickle emblems on old buildings symbolizing the former Soviet Union and statues of leaders from that era give a sense of the three countries’ shared history. I definitely want to stop by the green city of Samarkand next time.
- Date : March 10, 2016
- Name : Kana Koguchi, International Department
