No red carpet but not a bad afternoon.

I am sitting in my Bishkek Guest House, very tired, so perhaps it is good that the TV does not work as I would probably sit and watch it longer than I should however, I often find I do the same with the internet, which does work so must try and be a bit disciplined. For some reason I have been sleeping very badly this week so really hope that coming away will be more relaxing.

Anyway my first visit to the cinema for ages and my first film here. All in Russian I guess with subtitles in Kyrgyz, but much of it sort of self explanatory. Having been told that it was going to be about Kyrgyz weddings and then that it was probably about bride kidnapping here, which apparently really does happen, it turned out to be about inspirational fairly young Kyrgyz success stories, inter cut with interviews with young students and absolutely stunning pictures of the country.   It started a bit late with an introduction in English by a Swiss guy as a Swiss organisation has supported the development of the film.   The cinema was packed with people who are in the film or friends and family members.  There were lots of pictures taken, but people were not as dressed up as I had anticipated, especially as many Bishkek residents really like nice and very fashionable clothes.I did however, see at least two people that I had met at Ashu.  Lots of people had bunches of flowers with them which presumably they were going to present to the hosts at the end, including my colleagues.  I had assumed they were going to make a day of it after, but apparently they planned to return to Chon Kemin when the film ended. As I wanted to catch my friend for her Thanksgiving do I planned to stay till about 4 and then get a taxi. I sat at the end of the row and checked that I could get out by the nearest exit. I also checked that the cinema was in the north and therefore the direction to head in at the end. About 20 to 4 my colleague stepped out so when she returned I decided to go out, but could I get out, no. I stood between two sets of doors, one back to the full cinema; the other in theory open for use in the pitch black,  rattling away at the door, but eventually had to give in and go back into the cinema then crouch down as I flitted past everyone and back up the other aisle and out.  So a complete failure in terms of subtle exit. However, I was very pleased with myself when I spotted a tram going back into town, which given I had been told that the cinema was north, seemed the right thing to do, however, when I got out, near to where my friend's home was supposed to be, I thought this is not right. At which point a taxi driver with an extensively bandaged hand leaned out his taxi window and asked in English if he could help me!.  Apparently the cinema had been relatively close to where I was trying to get to, so I had come away from it, luckily he was still able to drive so he took me back past the cinema and right to the outskirts of Bishkek to my friends. The driver, explained that he had learned his English in Afganistan, where he had worked as engineer, he is the second Kyrgyz civilian I have met who learned his English there, however, the injury was two drunks from the night before.

The flat where my friend lived could have been a modern flat almost anywhere in the world, but the guests were from the States, Kyrgyzstan, Europe and possibly the Middle East.  Most of the others had been there a lot longer and I stayed briefly after they all parted as it was just nice to catch up and the place was lovely.  Cheap in Bishkek terms, but more than the expenses that I receive for working here. Or do at times. Rather frustratingly I did not get a small wodge of cash from anyone today so I will probably have to wait for some one to bring it to Shabdan, but I could do with it now to pay for the guest house which turns out to be cash only. For the first time in my life I have a credit card - the only way I could book with the airline - and I had hoped to be able to use it here but obviously not.  I hope the cash I have with me is enough.  The taxi could not find it and had to turn round several times and ring the guest house at least twice to get here. We seemed to drive miles, past a surprisingly large number of restaurants, apart from their external lighting  it was pitch black.  I certainly did not feel like exploring the area when I got here.   I do not understand why Bishkek is so expensive both for living and staying in.  The hostel I stayed in first time round is closed for the winter so I thought I would splash out and try and find a cheap but pleasant guest house.  It will be interesting to see if this place seems more positive in the morning.  However, I have had a nice warming sauna and the host seems very nice but breakfast at nine seems a very long way away.

Anyway I am hoping I can find a way to get a copy of the film from today at some point as I think it would be very nice to share with others to show one how lovely some of the kids are and two how beautiful it can be here.

I have been hearing a lot about the problems with insulation in the UK, interesting here, they sort of staple big sheets on polystyrene to the outside of the property and then re-plaster it, it is very quick. Felt is available too and would be more ecological, but polystyrene seems to be the preferred way as it is cheaper. Is anyone doing anything similar in the UK?