Travels in Turkmenistan

Just back from a trip in the surreal country of Turkmenistan. Surreal in the sense of it’s grandiose cities and quiet multi-lane highways, it’s strange regulations like white or silver cars only in the capital, dirty cars not allowed within the city limits etc. and of course, anywhere there is the cult of leader (photographs or statues everywhere) is always strange.  Outside of the cities, the landscape seems vast and empty, with terrible roads and flat plains and sandy desert. We had a wonderful guide who showed us a lot in a short period of time, and I’m still digesting all the different impressions and thoughts about this strange country.