Woke up to another bright sunny morning , had a shower, took my laundry to reception and then went to breakfast.
I cannot understand Ashgabat at all, all modern white buildings, apartment blocks, offices, hotels, parks, and monuments but difficult to find local shops and even local people. Went to the Yimpash shopping centre (3 stories of very modern shopping facilities – internet access available (no Wi Fi or Facebook), ground floor was a department store based around a large food section. On the first floor were some individual high end shops and on the 3rd floor there was a couple of restaurants, fast food, internet access, 10 pin bowling and table tennis. The shopping centre has the only escalators in the capital. 
Walked towards Turkmenbashky Square, again devoid of people, but was stopped from taking pictures in some areas and redirected across roads by the police in other parts. This is a very controlled society and they are also very proud of their achievements, but they are almost living in a parallel world to us. In the evening walked to the Ten Years of Independence Park which was colourful with fountains and statues. Some people strolling around, mainly courting couples and young families, but very few compared with the other capitals we have visited. This place seems completely soulless – full of wonderful building and monuments etc. but devoid of real people. Perhaps we should visit the suburbs and we are only seeing the showcase part.
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