GEORGE NEWS - A picnic in the company of Kyrgyzstanis, filled with bonhomie, is one of the fond memories that Martin Kellerman recounted during an exquisite slide presentation held at a recent meeting of the U3A (University of the Third Age).

While Kellerman worked as an economic advisor in Kyrgyzstan in 2006, he helped implement a World Bank project. He developed a tremendous respect for this stoic nation, who are quite poor, but aspire to grow their economy and overcome their former iron curtain constraints. 

Kyrgyzstan became independent from the former USSR in 1991. Most citizens only dream of owning a car, but a comprehensive public transport system of Mashutka taxis largely makes up for this.

While living in the capital Bishkek, a city of extreme climatic contrasts with temperatures ranging in extremes from -10°C to 40°C, Martin and his wife Marie had to get along as best they could, dealing with a huge language barrier. Hardly anyone speaks English and the Kyrgyzstanis do not use the western alphabet. 

At work Martin had a full-time translator and while their work ethic impressed him, he was saddened to learn how low their salaries were.

Spending seven months in the country surrounded by the Tian Shan mountains, which are 7 000m high in places, Martin got the opportunity to take some magnificent photos. The country is bordered by Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China.

At a work picnic in the nature reserve near Bishkek, the flow of Vodka helped to smooth out the language barriers. Enthusiastically joining in the first round, the Kellermans accepted refills, but soon adopted a wily "keep standing" strategy, pretending to be downing the fiery drink while quietly emptying it under the table so as to avoid offending their hosts. 

The memorable occasion, with an abundance of food and good company, was held on the bank of a river. 

To this day Martin feels that this was the best country out of the 35 developing nations that he worked in, chiefly because the citizens were so genuine. 

One of Martin's many romantic photos of the snow-covered country made a lasting impression - it revealed that in this largely Muslim-dominated country, women emulate their western counterparts by wearing white wedding dresses.

The Kellermans are now retired and live in George.

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