Trading the Hyatt Hotel Pool for Wool Blankets and Taxidermy in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in the summer can get intense. Hazy, hot, and uncomfortably humid—these are the words that define the Kyrgyz capital during the warmer months.

Eventually, the pool scene at the Hyatt Regency Bishkek was getting a bit stale, so we decided to escape the city heat and head for the famed Tian Shan Mountains.

Back then, the Hyatt Bishkek employed a security guard who was a true jack-of-all-trades. If you wanted to organize any excursion beyond the city limits, he was the man who knew who to call. For a generous tip, he would handle the entire setup—soup to nuts.

Fast forward to our ride out: a passenger van rolling through the sparse Kyrgyz countryside. As we bumped along potholed dirt roads that teetered precariously on the edges of impossibly tall mountain passes, more than a few of us started reminiscing fondly about the safety of those lazy days back at the hotel pool.

The farther we traveled from Bishkek, the more traditional and nomadic the landscape became. Brick houses gave way to white felt yurts, and livestock roamed freely across open fields, completely unbothered by fences.

Finally, we reached our destination: 12 Chimneys (or maybe it was 7 Chimneys, or 5—the exact count didn't really matter once we arrived).

Up in the high altitudes of the Tian Shan range, the mountain air was impossibly crisp, and the rushing streams ran so clear they looked good enough to drink straight from the source. The shift in temperature was dramatic. 

Before long, we were sipping cold local Kyrgyz beers while wrapped in heavy wool blankets to stave off the sudden mountain chill—all while surrounded by an eclectic indoor collection of local taxidermy.

This corner of Central Asia has remained largely unchanged through the centuries. The Kyrgyz people have always been exceptional stewards of their wild, rugged landscapes. If you ever get the chance, pay them a visit—just make sure to head for the mountains.

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Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan 2 Inch Square Magnet

From the Steppes to the USSR: Exploring Kyrgyzstan’s Complex History in Bishkek

Below is a video walkthrough of the State Historical Museum in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I shot this footage after touring the collection, an experience I would highly recommend to anyone spending time in the Kyrgyz capital.

Before even stepping inside, I was struck by the monumental scale of the building itself. Completed in 1984, the museum is a textbook example of late Soviet Modernist and Brutalist architecture—a style widely embraced by both the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War era for its raw efficiency and imposing physical presence.

The museum commands a prime position on Ala-Too Square, set amidst white marble, sweeping fountains, and manicured gardens. Honor guards stand watch at the nearby flag post, while a larger-than-life bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin looms behind the building.

Approaching the entrance, the sheer size of the structure makes you feel remarkably small. After heaving open the massive front door, I made my way to the ticket desk. As is common across much of the region, foreign visitors pay a slightly higher admission fee than local citizens, but it remains an absolute bargain for the amount of history packed inside.

A significant portion of the museum’s upper floor is dedicated to the Soviet era, tracing the rise of the USSR, regional revolutionary movements, and the triumphs of the Decembrists. In one room, the flags of the former Soviet Republics still hang side-by-side.

Kyrgyzstan’s integration into the Soviet Union brought swift modernization to this corner of Central Asia. Infrastructure expanded dramatically, establishing direct railway links from Bishkek to Moscow and creating a sizable ethnic Russian community that still calls the country home.

Yet, while the museum pays ample tribute to its 20th-century Soviet past, the much deeper history of the Kyrgyz people takes center stage. The lower levels feature full-scale felt yurts, traditional weaponry, intricate leatherwork, and silver crafts that offer a window into centuries of nomadic life.

As an American, learning about the traditional lifestyle of the nomadic Kyrgyz tribes felt strikingly familiar. Their deep connection to the land, seasonal migrations, and tribal structures share remarkable parallels with the cultures of Native American nations like the Wampanoag and Narragansett back home in New England.

With Kyrgyzstan rapidly growing in popularity among international travelers, the State Historical Museum is bound to see more global traffic. If you don't read Kyrgyz or Russian, hiring a local guide is well worth the investment, as many of the static displays and informational panels lack English translations.

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Bishkek State History Museum - Kyrgyzstan Tee Shirt

How the Internet Destroyed the Gatekeeper: Entrepreneurial Inspiration from Seth Godin

I watch a lot of inspirational videos on YouTube, and Seth Godin consistently stands out as one of the most compelling voices. He frequently talks about globalization and the relentless "race to the bottom" happening across so many traditional industries. The premise is simple yet stark: in an interconnected world, there will almost always be someone—often in an emerging market—willing to perform a standard job for a fraction of the pay.

While that reality sounds grim at first glance, Godin points out a massive, highly empowering silver lining: the gatekeeper is dead.

The internet has shattered long-standing legacy business models, and many established corporate moats are rapidly evaporating. With that level of disruption comes unprecedented opportunity for anyone willing to step up and take initiative.

Consider how much the landscape has shifted:

• Authors: No longer need to query dozens of traditional publishing houses or wait months for rejection letters. Self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing have made publishing accessible to anyone with a finished manuscript.

• Musicians: No longer rely on corporate A&R executives to grant them a record deal. Creators can publish directly to platforms like YouTube or Spotify, allowing the public—not a board of executives—to decide who becomes the next breakthrough artist.

As an entrepreneur, navigating setbacks and maintaining momentum can be a constant battle. Whenever I find myself in a creative or professional rut, I go back to Godin's work to recalibrate and find fresh inspiration.

If you're looking for a daily dose of perspective, his long-running blog is worth a bookmark. A quick search for "Seth Godin blog" will take you straight to it.

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KEEP CALM CARRY ON MAKER, YOUR TEXT HERE - CUSTOM

Why I’m Not Ashamed to Love Cheap Hotels (and How to Pick a Good One)

I’m not ashamed to say it: I like cheap hotels.

The way I look at it, a hotel is just a launchpad. When I’m on vacation, I’d much rather save money on a place to sleep so I have more cash to explore, eat well, and experience my destination.

That doesn't mean I stay in sketchy, rundown places—there’s a major difference between a budget hotel and a shady one. Over years of traveling, I’ve developed a strict set of criteria to help me land a high value stay every time. Even if I can't hit every point on the list, I aim for as many as possible.

My Value Hotel Criteria

When I’m looking for a great budget stay, I lock in on these essentials:

• Location & Safety: A safe neighborhood within easy walking distance of local markets, convenience stores, bars, and budget-friendly restaurants.
• Easy Logistics: A free airport shuttle or quick access to public transit.
• Included Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, and free breakfast to kickstart the day.
• The Basics: A clean, private bathroom (a total non-negotiable) and a straightforward bill with zero surprise add-on fees.

Things I Don't Need (and Actively Avoid)

Part of finding a great cheap hotel is knowing what not to pay for. Premium properties love to bundle useless perks into inflated room rates or sneaky fees. Here’s what I happily skip:

• Unnecessary Service: Bellmen opening doors or carrying bags I can easily roll myself, and overpriced room service.
• Hidden Traps: Resort fees, extra charges for Wi-Fi, and sneaky costs for in-room coffee (looking at you, Sheraton).
• Pricey Convenience: Minibars, in-room snacks, and pay-per-view movies. If it has the word "luxury" attached to it, I'm usually heading the other direction.

Where to Look (and What to Avoid)

It really comes down to location first, with reliable free Wi-Fi as a close second, and free breakfast as a major bonus.

Trusted "tourist class" chains—like Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Days Inn, or Red Roof Inn—are usually solid bets for clean, dependable rooms without the fluff. On the flip side, full-service brands like Renaissance, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham often tack on fees for every little extra.

Do a Little Recon First

Before booking, spend five minutes doing research on review sites or Google Maps. A quick neighborhood check can pay huge dividends—finding a local grocery store or cheap diner right down the block will save you a bundle on daily meals.

Want to see the epitome of a great value hotel in action? Check out my review of the Hampton Inn Tropicana in Las Vegas to see how to land a prime location without paying luxury prices:

Stop Giving Away Free Content: Why I’m Moving Back to Blogger

Hey guys, happy 2016!

A new year means new resolutions, and one of mine directly relates to this blog and my YouTube channel. Now, I know what you might be thinking: Blogger? Really? I know blogger.com is pretty much laughed at by "pro" bloggers, but hear me out before you start laughing.

I love Blogger. It’s free real estate, super easy to use, and seamlessly integrated with the rest of Google's ecosystem. So, without further ado, here is my resolution: Use Blogger more!

Here’s why. I have a Facebook page linked to my Jonathan Browne Menzies YouTube channel where I post new videos and channel updates. While Facebook is a great free platform, there’s no direct way to monetize the content you post there. Whenever you post on Facebook, you're essentially adding cash to Mark Zuckerberg's bank account by handing over free content for them to monetize, not you.

Don't get me wrong—I’m not deleting my Facebook account anytime soon; it's still a useful tool. But I work hard on my creative endeavors. From writing and video production to artwork design, I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Even if my Blogger page doesn't get massive traffic yet, it allows me to monetize my work. Sure, affiliates like Zazzle take a cut, but by sharing that revenue, it gives me a strong incentive to host my core content right here.

So expect to see a lot more activity on this dusty old Blogger page soon!

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Why I Still Want to Have Coffee with Lee Iacocca

Someday, I would love to sit down and have coffee with Lee Iacocca. While his long career in the auto industry certainly had its share of setbacks, I deeply admire how he confronted seemingly impossible challenges head-on. Above all, Iacocca's most impressive achievement was his masterclass in crisis leadership: securing $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees to rescue the Chrysler Corporation from the brink of bankruptcy.

When Iacocca took over Chrysler in the late 1970s, the company was hemorrhaging money, and the threat of total collapse was real. Instead of hiding behind boardrooms, Iacocca took personal responsibility for the turnaround. He famously became the public face of the company, stepping in front of the camera for iconic television commercials to pitch Chrysler directly to the American public. He also rallied celebrities and public figures to champion the ailing automaker—often for little to no pay—simply because they believed in his vision.

A major driver of Chrysler’s crisis was unfair foreign competition, and I admire the tough stance Iacocca took against the flood of European and Japanese imports. At the time, Japan imposed strict import rules and heavy tariffs on foreign vehicles, while the US maintained loose import restrictions. Iacocca argued that Japanese manufacturers held an unfair advantage and were essentially dumping cars on the domestic market. Confident that Chrysler's new lineup could stand toe-to-toe with any import, he pushed for fairer trade policies to level the playing field.

To further boost domestic automakers, Iacocca even advocated for a federal fuel tax that would fund tax credits for consumers buying American-made cars. In his eyes, the US government had backed the domestic auto industry into a corner by imposing strict, unfunded emissions and efficiency mandates. If government regulations helped push Chrysler to the edge, Iacocca argued, the government had a responsibility to help save it.

He also knew that survival required sharp marketing and clever engineering. During the height of the debate over imports, Iacocca popularized the double-entendre slogan, "America isn't going to be pushed around anymore." On one level, it was a defiant statement against Japanese market dominance. On a literal level, it highlighted Chrysler’s new engineering direction: shifting production to front-wheel-drive vehicles that pulled the car, rather than traditional rear-wheel-drive models that pushed it.

Ultimately, Iacocca's relentlessness paid off. He successfully convinced Washington that Chrysler was too vital to the economy to let fail, securing the critical $1.5 billion loan guarantee package. With that financial lifeline, Chrysler pulled off one of the greatest corporate comebacks in history—paying off the government loans years ahead of schedule and launching hit products like the K-Car and the revolutionary minivan.

Lee Iacocca saved an American icon and preserved thousands of manufacturing jobs because he refused to back down. He put himself front and center when everything was on the line, and that is why his legacy as a leader remains so inspiring today.

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Trabant, Official Car of East Germany!

Inside Moldova: Unpacking Europe’s Economic Outlier

Europe often evokes romantic imagery of Buckingham Palace, the Champs-Élysées, or posh ski resorts in Switzerland and Austria. The other day, I was thinking about how limited many people are when they picture Europe—limited in the sense that they only envision "Old Europe."

There are, of course, many countries on the continent characterized as emerging markets, most notably those in the Balkans and former communist states of Eastern Europe. While poverty, corruption, and crime are often rife, these nations are still very much a part of Europe.

That got me wondering: What is the poorest country in Europe? I thought it would be interesting to do a bit of research and uncover what has held this country back compared to its neighbors. Was it economic mismanagement, war, or something else entirely? Here is what I discovered.

The answer, perhaps not so surprisingly, is the Republic of Moldova. Moldova has a per capita GDP of $3,400. That is strikingly lower than its closest European competitors: Kosovo ($6,400), Ukraine ($7,200), and Bosnia and Herzegovina ($8,200).

A major factor in Moldova's dire economic situation is its geopolitical isolation. Moldova is not a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, or NATO. Although it borders Romania, Moldovans cannot travel to EU countries without a visa.

Economically, Moldova lacks significant natural resources and relies heavily on agriculture for exports. The country remains torn between East and West, with its trading partners split between Western Europe and nations like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Although Moldova is making some progress toward EU integration, full membership remains a long way off.

Adding to its struggles, Moldova faces internal political instability due to a breakaway region supported by Russia. Known as the Republic of Transnistria, this area is home to a predominantly Slavic population and has operated independently from Moldova since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Looking ahead, Moldova stands to benefit if the global economy grows, largely due to foreign remittances sent home by Moldovans working in Russia and other parts of Europe. Further European integration could also boost the economy through increased exports and access to EU-sponsored loans. However, Moldova must eventually find a way to ease tensions with Transnistria to reassure foreign investors.

Until then, keep enjoying fine Moldovan wine—unquestionably one of the country's most appreciated exports!

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CCCP USSR Soviet Union with State Emblem.