[albroland]

I managed to finally get a LoI approval this year after 2 previous rejections but then COVID happened; I'm hoping it's an easier process when I reapply next year (assuming they've reopened to tourists).

Note to anyone curious and reading: if you have a US passport - this is a challenging country to get into. Plan ahead and be prepared to either book flights last minute pending approval or buy refundable tickets for when you get the rejection last minute.

[082349872349872]

For flavour, if travel is difficult[1], at least Youtubing is easy.

Here's a turkmen wedding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGhSBOy8H_Y

and a pop clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udALVHSH9T4 (According to WP and the picture on https://yashlar.gov.tm/catalog/556 , this song is named after the "red rover" game.)

or landscapes + folkloric activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy8LOpoMh10

Akhal-Tekes clean up fancy? https://live.staticflickr.com/5560/14529754743_26a80692e0_b....

[1] "Восток — дело тонкое"

(the obvious incentivisation is that oil companies need to hire country managers who are wealthy enough on their own account they can assume any necessary irregular payments and entertainment will be arranged by their personal lawyers, or in any case, well off the companies' own books?)

Incidentally, Berdimuhamedow's thesis was "Clinical features and pathogenesis of major dental diseases in children of multiparous women", but I haven't bothered to look up his advisor.