Two percent chance

[topum]

Well we submitted our applications for Turkmenistan visas this week. Most likely we are not getting them though. We were told that only 915 of them were issued in 2015, meaning the rejection rate of above 98%. Now I really want to visit that place, I have a plan for what I want to do there too.

Comments

[mariana-aga.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

Never in my life I thought that someone would want to visit Turkmenistan but will be denied visas. This is so weird. I grew up there, I even worked in the Karakum Desert for a year right after high school, and no one w a n t e d to come and visit : ))) Well, not more than any other surrounding republics, not a very famous republic, Turkmenistan...

Even today folks prefer to leave Turkmenistan for tourism, not to come it. NOW even I won't be able to get visa to visit Turkmenistan.

I wish you the best of luck. The best! It is certainly a unique and lovely place. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

If it falls through, you could always visit the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. More or less, the same place, no?

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

2% is better then 0% I guess. Good Luck!

If you don't get it there's always google earth Ha!

Athena

[topum.livejournal.com]

I have visited it. Ditto North Korea, Tibet and Sikkim.
I had a special interest in Turkmenistan. Will have to write a post about that.
Oh if only I could write and didn't hate it so much! I have so many posts I want to write but writing is really really not my thing )).

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

Your photographs tell stories. :-)

[topum.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
You grew up in Turkmenistan?!
What a coincidence! We definitely have to talk more ).
Almost everyone is denied visas though, almost impossible to get into. Someone told me today that the 2% are allocated almost fully to Russian citizens (they are viewed less dangerous for the regime than westerners apparently).

[topum.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I was interested more in the day to day life there than sightseeing so GE would be of limited use. There definitely are places with better sightseeing but I think there are not many places with more weirdly unique day to day life.

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

I imagine they have an interesting culture there.  Hopefully you will get the visa.  I look forward to the pictures. 

Athena

[topum.livejournal.com]

It is mostly not about culture even but about how people adapted to the draconian and bizarre restrictions imposed by their crazy dictators on their day to day life. And it all happened in this generation. Photography is very restricted there, but as usual, I have a plan ).

[topum.livejournal.com]

You might remember the last time Turkmenistan was in the press:

Jenny from the Eastern Bloc: Lopez forced to apologize for singing happy birthday to brutal Turkmen dictator accused of torture

- Jennifer Lopez performed at birthday celebration concert for Turkmenistan president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

- Berdimuhamedow leads one of 'the most repressive regimes in the world,' according to Human Rights Watch

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

Yes I vaguely recall that. 

I too wonder how the people live life under such extreme oppression. 

I can't imagine living with a gun pointed at my head at all times. 

It is a wonder more don't attempt freedom.  But maybe fear keeps them there. 

Athena

[topum.livejournal.com]

And it's not only that it is extreme it is also very bizarre. Like certain types of dental crowns are forbidden (because the president thought they did not look nice) and people had to change them, houses can have only blue tinted windows if they look out on one of the main streets, people cannot walk around the city centre, opera is banned, at one point universities were closed down (the president decided they were a waste of time), etc.

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

Do you have any insight into why applications are rejected?

[doomcookie99.livejournal.com]

Good luck. And be safe. :-)

[topum.livejournal.com]

They are paranoid about any international exposure by undercover journalists, any human rights activists, etc, etc. Not very different from North Korea in this respect.

[topum.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Apparently it is very safe there just very difficult to get in.

[doomcookie99.livejournal.com]

Aww... and I know you wanted to see that. Does it cost $$?

[topum.livejournal.com]

The flights and hotels are not very expensive.

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

This dictator dude sounds like a "wing nut".  Kinda like Caligula or Nero..or pretty much any of the Roman Emperors except maybe Julius Caesar or Augustus. 

It sounds almost like one of those weird cults.  Where the leader claims to be an alien or Jesus. 

If you go don't drink the cool - aid.  

Athena

[doomcookie99.livejournal.com]

Well, that's good. I do hope you get in. :-)

[dreamsugar.livejournal.com]

Sending out positive thoughts to you! I hope you get it... best of luck!

[topum.livejournal.com]

Thank you.