Turkmenistan: Independence Day

Turkmenistan celebrated the 20th year of Independence this year on October 27th. It was an amazing parade with beautiful choreography. First the military paraded through the square, then the horses and then the various groups. You really have to check out how they set it up with background flags and all the colours! I was lucky to visit a few stud farms on my visit and have photos from them as well. However, the weather was so dark and wet that the photos aren't great. At two of the stud farms we were invited in, one for a full meal. We sat on the floor around the food with the lamb cooking over the fire at the end. It was definitely the best lamb I've ever eaten and one of the coolest meals ever. The official opening of the Ahal Velayat Hippodrome was on Sunday and we watched the races there.

Blog Posts:
1. A Studfarm in Turkmenistan
2. Another Studfarm in the Mountains
3. Independence Day Parade
4. Opening Day at the Ahal Velayat Hippodrome
5. notes from the International Akhal-Teke Horse meeting

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Check out my full set of photos on Flickr and my book: