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Ok probably a long shot but any locals? Any one ever been there?
All being well will be there 10/10/11-19/10/11
PM would be great.

Laters

Julian.

I have been there, but I am not a BASE jumper, and as far as I know there are no parachuting activities of any kind anywhere in Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is fairly modern but outside of the cities the rest of the country is very conservative and Shari'a law (or the tribal version of it) is in effect in many parts (no prohibition against booze primarily from the Soviet influence though).
The authorities there are very corrupt (like most 3rd world countries), so it may be possible to get "permission" to jump a building if you get baksheesh to the right official - certainly it would be worth a try. I am pretty sure noone would bat an eye if you found a cliff you wanted to jump.
Enjoy your time there, its a fascinating city and a really cool culture (Soviet-Islamic fusion). TONS of cool monuments around the city and some really pretty mosques. Hop a flight over to Kabul Afghanistan if you get the chance, thats one of my favorite places I have been, and not as dangerous as most people would think (although you do have to be very aware of where you are and who you are with).

Cheers for the info, quite looking forward to it in many ways.

Don't go to Kabul. It's not nice and safe, and the SOF guys don't like risking their lives to rescue sightseeing tourists. That is all.

But I pay my taxes, (well sometimes), surely I am entitled to be rescued if the need arises?
Booked an all inclusive tour of Kabul and Kandahar. Club 18-30 here I come!

Sounds like fun! Make sure to wander around and get lost!

Dont go to Kandahar, nothing to see there and it's Taliban central.
Kabul is plenty safe unless you are stupid or unlucky - I was there in 2003 for 2 weeks and had no issues whatsoever.
And if you were to get kidnapped, the Govt forces will not rescue you (at least American ones wont, not sure about the UK)...

I have a few mates who head out there a couple of times year.
Looks cool and most of them come back with a cracking suntan.
There is always a fiesta happening somewhere with a lot of fireworks in the night sky (you should see the size of the rockets), big bonfires the works.
Only thing missing is a hotdog stand, You would have thought one on the locals would set one up, missing a trick if you ask me.

It seems planking is quite popular in the desert to, especially amongst the locals. They all appear very intent on setting a new record as they lie there for ages without moving a muscle. Very dedicated if you ask me, especially in that heat.

Laters