The Invasion Begins

One of the endearing characteristics of Kyrgyzstan is that the entire country does not house a single American fast food outlet.  Not one.  Not even one of the omnipresent Subway franchises that seem to have infected every other corner of the planet like some rogue virus has yet to make it here to this remote outpost.  There are a couple of Kyrgyz fast food chains, the biggest one being Begemot.  It turns out that the word Begemot means hippopotamus in the Kyrgyz language. So either the Kyrgyz have a sly sense of humor or they are unusually honest in their efforts at consumer education.

Unfortunately, this idyllic situation changed three weeks ago, when a new Western fast food outlet opened three blocks from my apartment.  You'll never guess which one it is.

Yes, it's Nathan's Hot Dogs of all franchises.  I haven't yet "mustard" up the courage to try the Kyrgyzstan Nathan's and, actually, wouldn't be at all sad if this effort failed in that it might discourage the Subways and McDonalds of the world from joining the invasion.  But, I did gather some amusement watching the newly minted Nathan's workers in their spiffy green outfits, bumbling into each other, spilling hot dogs and drinks in their overcrowded work area.