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Frequently described as the strangest country on Earth, Turkmenistan boasts a capital city that appears almost surreal. Its skyline, dominated by glimmering white marble and gold structures, is juxtaposed against a backdrop of dictatorial governance and an absence of freedoms. The legacy of its previous leader, who whimsically altered names of months and days in honor of family and other personal interests, illustrates the bizarre nature of this state.
Despite lurking concerns about the country's stringent security measures and the risk of surveillance, an adventurous spirit led a group to embark on an expedition to Turkmenistan—with a palpable sense of excitement and fear tinged in their discussions.