Spending 3 Days in The World's Strangest City

Summary

In this video, the traveler explores the enigmatic city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, known for its white marble buildings and ghostly empty streets. With a mere 10,000 annual visitors, Turkmenistan is one of the world's least visited countries due to its restrictive visa policies. Despite its wealth from natural gas reserves, the city feels surreal, with grandiose yet vacant structures and a populace living a simple life under government control. The traveler delves into the eccentric laws of the former dictator and the current leader's mysterious presence, painting a picture of a staged yet puzzling city.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan is the 170th country visited by the traveler, known for its offbeat destinations.
• 🏰 The city is likened to Pyongyang, North Korea, for its bizarre and over-the-top characteristics.
• 💸 Turkmenistan is one of the wealthiest countries in the region due to its large natural gas reserves.
• 🏛️ Ashgabat is decorated with white marble, earning a Guinness World Record for the extensive use of this material.
• 🏙️ The city's architecture includes numerous white buildings, fountains, and statues, giving it a surreal appearance.
• 👥 Despite the grandeur, the streets are eerily empty, creating a ghost-town-like atmosphere.
• 📸 Photography is restricted, contributing to a sense of being watched and monitored by authorities.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The people are friendly and curious, with limited internet access and most employed by the government.
• 🚫 The former dictator's eccentric laws, such as banning pet dogs and renaming months, have left a lasting impact on society.
• 🌐 The current dictator's presence is palpable, with the city feeling staged and the authenticity of experiences in question.

Q & A

What is the narrator's impression of Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat?

The narrator describes Ashgabat as a bizarre and beautiful city, decorated extensively in white marble, reminiscent of Disneyland in a desert.

How does the narrator compare Turkmenistan to North Korea?

The narrator compares Turkmenistan to North Korea in terms of its difficulty and costliness to visit, as well as the strict control over tourists.

Why is Turkmenistan one of the wealthiest countries in the region?

Turkmenistan is one of the wealthiest countries in the region due to its fourth biggest natural gas reserve on earth.

What is unique about the buildings in Ashgabat?

The buildings in Ashgabat are unique because they are almost entirely constructed from white marble, earning the city a Guinness World Record.

Why is it difficult to take photos or videos in Turkmenistan?

It is difficult to take photos or videos in Turkmenistan because the streets are often empty and there is a pervasive feeling of being watched, making it nerve-wracking to document the surroundings.

What is the significance of the golden turbine in the city?

The golden turbine is a notable feature of the city's architecture, symbolizing the country's wealth and industry, particularly its natural gas reserves.

How does the narrator describe the streets of Ashgabat during the day?

The narrator describes the streets of Ashgabat as shockingly empty during the day, almost like a ghost town.

What is the internet access situation in Turkmenistan?

Less than one percent of Turkmenistan's residents have internet access, indicating a very limited online presence for the country.

What was the former dictator Saparmurat Niyazov known for?

The former dictator Saparmurat Niyazov was known for his eccentric laws and policies, such as renaming months after his family, banning certain forms of entertainment, and restricting car colors and pet ownership.

How does the narrator feel about the government's spending on marble buildings?

The narrator is puzzled by the government's spending on white marble buildings that are often empty, questioning the authenticity and purpose behind such constructions.

What was the narrator's experience with the locals?

The narrator found the locals to be friendly and curious, with many enjoying being photographed, despite the general atmosphere of surveillance and control.