Money Makin' in the New Year

America has lots of money, which we happily give out to smart people with good ideas so that they can make more money for us. The Soviet Union has many secrets and technologies unbeknownst to the West.

Sustainability is sure to be a topic of increasing importance. Despite its high profile of late, it is probably only underestimated in terms of the esteem it ought to bear upon the future of individuals and societies the world over. Politically, developing countries must continue to expand and improve. The alternative of stagnation and frustration will only repeat the worst features of the 20th century. Taking steps to prepare a smooth landing for the rapidly developing societies of the world is in everyone's interests.

The Soviet Union was, not so long ago, a source of technological innovation. A institute of prestige for environmentally minded technologies was Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. My host father was one of the scientist. He has a number of cheap and employable technologies that can assist the peoples of the world in their quest for sustainablility. I have access to the people and the market to make it a reality. Together my host father and I can do the world a favor and prosper ourselves.

So goes my host father's argument for why I should transform myself into a venture capitalist. I can't really say no. It brings a smile to my face everytime I think about it.

The Alpine Fund is doing well on the whole. We are doing more programs and probably doing a better job of running them. There is a new English class, a new French class, and more trips to the mountains. All in the last month. We are on the hunt for old gear related to camping, climbing, skiing or even ice skates. Most notably, kids climbing shoes. We have also discovered a way to ship things cheaply from the states. We have contacts at the US airbase near Bishkek. Shipping between the US and a US military installation abroad is the same as shipping within the US. So let me know if there is moderately used or new gear anyone wants to send.

My director and I just bought a 200 euro worth of supplies for orphans. The money was raised by having the kids make Christmas cards and selling the cards to the Spanish airforce guys. (They rock and do a lot around here with kids). It worked out to about 2+ dollars per kid for about 120 kids. With that we got each kid a good pen, a notebook, an 8 page sketch book, a good pair of socks, a toothbrush with paste, and laundry detergent. All thanks to the local knowledge and bargaining ability of our director. She is 20 years old. We shopped at one of the two huge Bazaars in Bishkek.

These bazaars are very much linked to the ancient tradition of Central Asian markets which once served as the Silk Road. Today's silk road could be called the 'Rediculously Cheap Chinese Manufactured Goods Road.' It is estimated that the value of Kyrgyzstan's unofficial or illicit economy is greater than it's official economy. Kyrgyz traders have setup all over Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is a sort of hub for distribution in Central Asia because of it's relatively lax tariffs. Kyrgyzstan became the only Central Asian Post-Soviet member of the WTO shortly after independence.

Kyrgyzstan's officials are corrupt enough to allow you to get around the bureaucracy to do business but not so corrupt that it is not worth doing business. This only holds of course if you move enough material and make enough money to pay for bribes.

Anyway, the bazaar is alive and well here. I find it stressful and intriguing each time I visit one of these loud crowded polyglotinous marvels.

The Institute for Public Policy in Kyrgyzstan published a decent piece on bazaars a month ago.

I have to bring my camera next time, despite the risk of theft and certainty of being 'that tourist who thinks my livelihood is strange and fascinating guy.'