Ashgabat Adventure

Jun 5, 2017

Our epic week in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan has come to an end. We said "See you down the road" to Sara yesterday after our only rest day. We did manage a few tourist type things on our rest day including a trip to the Altyn Asyr bazzaar (an enormous market on the outskirts of Ashgabat), lunch in a yurt with a drink of fermented camels milk, a visit to a museum of Turkmen history and exploration of the ruins of Nissa.
Billy and I facilitated our final workshop of phase 1 at the Institute of Culture this morning (Monday June 5). The students and staff eagerly took in what we had to offer and asked for more. The Artistic Director of the Circus Dept. has not been shy in asking that we return for no less than a month next time. We then performed in a special Circus presentation at the Turkmen State Circus, which included introductions by the Minister of Culture and U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Allan Mustard. After the performance the Director of the Turkmen State Circus also asked that we return to work with his performers. He stated that the work we did was already evident in the ring. We finished our day with a U.S. Embassy social network 'live chat' via Line app.
Our circus cultural exchange to Turkmenistan has been a truly amazing journey. I have seen a part of the world I had not imagined. I have been introduced to a culture I was only vaguely aware of. I met people that changed my life. And I did manage to take a few photos and some video footage. I will put together a presentation about this adventure to share with all who are interested. This adventure was far too amazing not to share.

BF Dreamcatcher NECCA

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