Solo In A Closed Soviet City ⛔️

⛔️ The Soviet Union had a policy of closing towns and cities of strategic and military importance off to the outside world. Even Soviet citizens couldn't enter Maylisuu due to its Uranium mines which were so important to the nuclear weapons program. Well I decided to head to deepest Kyrgyzstan to see what a formerly closed city looked like back then and see how life was progressing now. Join me as I become one of the few foreigners to ever enter Maylisuu.

[@_elan__]

Bald, please never stop making these videos. We need cool videos like this on KZbin instead of people traveling to typical boring places. You’re the best. 😎👊🏼

[@marekdurisin4009]

Actually he is making - on the first sight - boring places - interesting.. Thats the real gift :)

[@gorbo-dk2fu]

So right i dont want to see paris or london show me mylisuu and norilsk

[@_elan__]

@@gorbo-dk2fu YESSSSS

[@thomashughes_teh]

Ben is the "Rick Steves" of places that can now claim him as their first tourist.

[@paulgimlik15969]

So true!

[@GathererThompson]

"Two is enough." I'm impressed.

[@etnamecul]

Like in a movie - "He is a man of culture. He is no enemy to his health" 😂

[@davidholgate123]

I've seen this a lot on Bald's and similar channels in this part of the World. They seem to be a lot more honest and humble than other similarly poor countries in other parts of the world!

[@86madee]

That's characteristic feature of Soviet drinkers, they have excellent manners.

[@craftpaint1644]

Leaving some for others.

[@daniel-1976]

Gonna take current top comment to ask..... how did they all mess up so bad ? I am no expert but did Russia have a hand in that ? No deals unless with them, frightening other countries off helping........

[@znariznotsj6533]

This is not just al vlog. This is journalism at a very high level.

[@stonebrix168]

Bald is one of the only true journalists left

[@RCCarDude]

When Bald interacts with these people it seems like he's talking to NPCs that take him on side quests. It's weird and addictive to watch.

[@denizg.3267]

Exactly what I thought :D hilarious

[@dickmccarthy9496]

Bald takes us to all kind of adventures that we scarepants are afraid to go.

[@59spadesofalife52]

In a way we are experiencing what he is without the danger of course

[@Edwins1984]

Sounds like a bèta tester for Fallout game 🤣👌

[@pmaughmer]

Or just friendly people showing him around. Dehumanization is tastless.

[@l.p.4119]

You have a Gift, which is giving people a voice who have never been listened to

[@pteeradukteel]

Nicely said, dude

[@cripdogg]

100% true

[@kaldiz]

And if EA ruled the world. Slavery would be the word.

[@enec0]

this comment is amazing

[@DuncYo]

you've honed right in on something there! perfect!

[@codboss7092]

virgin tourist: visits roman ruins, goes to fancy restaurants, takes stupid selfies chad baldy: visits soviet cold war ruins, eats radioactive food, documents everything

[@eavyeavy2864]

Enjoy your tourist std

[@BawlBag]

Bald is much less 'chad' than you realise..

[@princedjll4912]

@@BawlBag It was a joke stinky

[@Crypt696]

Well most tourists go to have a vacation and relax. This is mr balds actual job. All of these outside kind of places exist in every nation in the world, they are just closed off unless you can speak the local language to actually get around/do anything/talk with the locals. If bald couldnt speak Russian, the best he could do would be farting around in Moscow

[@minicouples]

The second option is so much more fun to watch

[@Agben35]

"What was, Was, and what's now, is now". Amen brutha.

[@QED_]

"It is what it is" . . .

[@yetigriff]

@@QED_ I prefer the Russian version

[@GauravPandeyIISc]

@@yetigriff Yup. The russian version is definitely more poetic.

[@robgoose]

That was a pretty powerful moment.

[@neontomo]

a soviet sort of stoicism

[@dawnmagee3354]

Thanks for keeping them coming Ben! I'm disabled and barely leave the house so it is wonderful to be able to explore with you! I've learned so much from your travels! You are always so respectful of the culture. The people you encounter don't have any problems speaking with you because you show such an honest interest in them, where and how they live!

[@philiproseel3506]

Drinking and socializing are all those guys have left in life. Buying them a little schnapps was the right thing to do if it made their day. Thanks for another great vlog!

[@Motorheadalx]

they even refuse 1 more bottle !

[@williamstewart2066]

@010steveo how soon, do you think? As of right now supermarkets are stocked, car lots are continuously selling and the housing market (especially in rural areas) is absolutely booming!!! What are your indicators of a soon to come crash and living hand to mouth?

[@Chibeliver]

Just me Think he may be referring to towns across rural America that are highly reliant on a single industry like coal or the ones that rely on truckers that could be phased-out by autonomous vehicles.

[@williamstewart2066]

@@Chibeliver that would make a lot of sense and has happened in the past, however i think people got a bit smarter and stopped putting all their eggs in one basket... many people in rural areas, not only have a 9-5 jobs, but also a side job as well as raising beef, pork or fowl on a industrial scale. So in our days they are a bit more secure and i would say their incomes are oftentimes safer than city or suburban area households. However those are just my thoughts and obviously i have no facts or statistics on that...

[@clouis906]

​@010steveo America deserves everything that they have coming for them after what their government has done to the Latin and Slavic populations.

[@VEE3RDEYE]

You’re the most interesting History & Geography teacher I’ve ever had

[@chethancarter10]

Pervez

[@AZdesign12]

I agree 100 %

[@nageshsonawane3307]

Because he was a librarian before so being a history teacher is natural for him and he loves the human history and shares it with us through his video blog

[@goldcd]

Never thought of it like that, but completely agree. Just need a find a few more interesting people wandering the corners of the planet.

[@boriswesterlund4202]

He is also a better journalist than mainstream media.

[@LiquidSens3]

Local: The germans built this fountain Bald: The germans basically built this town

[@starseed8087]

Germans from the GDR (East Germany) I assume..

[@daniltitov4780]

@@starseed8087 it was german pows after ww2. They were commonly used to rebuild soviet cities and towns.

[@fiedel]

@@starseed8087 Yeah, for sure. I also remember some important pipeline that had to be built (Baikal-Amur-something), where construction workers from the GDR were sent to work on. So the statement that germans made contributions to soviet infrastructure is less bizarre then it might initially sound. Also, whole factories were taken from the GDR after the war and rebuilt in the USSSR as a form of war reparations, only after some time it must have dawned on the Politbüro that having an agricultural North-Korea-clone next to West Germany might not be the greatest advertising campaign for the wonderful future of communism. P.S. Ah, and as Danil pointed out, ofc POWs had to work on such projects before the times of mutual cooperation. My own grandfather spent 5 years in captivity there.

[@leppavu]

@@starseed8087 Probably prisoners, actually. Some POWs were kept working for decades after the war, though this did start to ramp down after Kruschev. He could also mean Volga Germans or other ethnic Germans who had been in Russia for centuries but were internally exiled under Stalin. Specifically, most were sent to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and eastern Siberia. GDR advisors later on, maybe, but I am 99% sure the speaker meant POWs or exiles. I knew a German woman whose father was born/raised in Kyrgyzstan. There were more than you might expect. As it was part of a WW2 memorial, it would be fitting (and ironic) to force German soldiers to build a memorial to an 'Asiatic' soviet soldiers...

[@jere9915]

soviets built this town

[@kimkerdi9257]

Oooh. Finally, my country! :) Greetings from Kyrgyzstan.

[@writerbill1]

Who thumbs down this video?! These are the BEST travel vlogs ever. I love seeing these real "off the beaten path" Soviet places.

[@thecringesaltawardcompany1818]

Uzbekis

[@hairy24]

Barely anyone? The like to dislike ratio is about as good as it gets..

[@chikuandchaploon2518]

He is the best youtuber I think

[@thomaslierzer5582]

Send them to the Gulags! THAT would be really SOVIET...!! :)

[@awapuhi9]

It is Ukranian trollbots, mostly. They work to remove humanity's positivity--paid for by the top 1%!

[@madvova118]

I really adore the ex Soviet people. Unlike his episode in Bolivia, nobody asks for money, they offer hospitality and talk, being ever so interested and grateful for whatever interesting moments life offers them.

[@AndreiBerezin]

Thank you. Just thank you.

[@MaTicFern]

They asked him to buy him drink as always lol

[@darkshadow2341]

Yeah they didn't ask him for money. More straight and to the point just buy us some drink XD

[@fenderOCG]

A lot safer too

[@madvova118]

@@MaTicFern and if he said that he couldnt they would smile and wish him a good day in their country. Even if he bought them the drink, they invited him to sit with them and im sure they would indulge in drinking with him and make toasts in his name and wish him happy travelling. This isnt because he bought them something, their positivity and kind hearts would remain in either scenario.

[@steven-k.]

Bald returning rental car: "I've just been to a uranium mine, so I may have irradiated the car." "Are you sure?" "Well, I have substantial experience with irradiating rental cars."

[@Max-up8vj]

honestly i wonder if he has to declare any of these stuff

[@oldandfound1]

Hysterically true.

[@dchurch3399]

This type of video is the reason I watch. The unknown, forgotten, unexplored areas are what we are interested in. And the fact that you can communicate with the locals and speak to them with respect and ask respectful questions ( with a bit of humour at times) is the reason for millions of subscribers. Don’t change !!

[@greggc48]

Mate, you seriously have the most unique and interesting travel channel on KZbin. No sponsors, no product placement, no fancy editing or drone shots. Not a lot of people would know about those places or the life of the people in post-Soviet states without your videos. Amazing.

[@baldandbankrupt]

Thanks. Well truth be told I can barely work out how to use my iMovie editing program so I highly doubt there will ever be any fancy editing on here.

[@Immortal__]

@@baldandbankrupt The 'basic' format is what is so appealing to us all. Thank you for your authenticity. Best wishes

[@junkerjorg2]

@@baldandbankrupt And it's much better that way. iMovie forces you to stick with basics. And your editing is perfect mate. No one wants fancy graphics. Your videos are legendary, and don't get the recognition they deserve. I would use your videos as a way to teach video editing/production in college. You are showing a master class. The way you make subtitles clear, and accurate. No clutter. No cheesy effects. No cheesy transitions. No voiceover. Amazing presentation. Good speaking, perfect pacing. This is an absolute master class for anyone learning how to produce a video.

[@paranormalhighway9222]

@@junkerjorg2 fancy graphics? fancy schmancey, yeah, mate, who needs it?

[@fiedel]

@@baldandbankrupt Please stay that way! The style is the perfect fit for the rough life most people you encounter have to endure and any form of "production value" would really just take away from the real quality of your films instead of adding to it. P.S. your blog seems to be down atm. Don't know if this is intended or not.

[@qwrhggnhmeut]

"What was, was, and what is now is now" was an oddly beautiful response, and such a good one. It must be so hard for people who lived most of their lives in the USSR to come to terms with what their country is like now. Kudos to that old masked man for having such a pragmatic view of things.

[@iPostiPodiEatiYuri]

He was the only Russian in the video.

[@cashox4]

not sure its purely pragmatism - a little bit of defeatism in it too i reckon. They cannot change the way things have got.

[@MrXelanadru]

I reckon it is almost pure defeatism. Way easier to live life in a place like that by not thinking you were and are part of the problem. I mean ... contaminated water was flowing there and I guess kids play with it or drink it ... and all you can say is "what is now is now". That's sad! Well ... corruption is thriving were people think like that. That's why Moldova and Ukraine are the way they are ... as most countries from the former USSR

[@badgerpa9]

He did not work in the mines and die of radiation poisoning like the locals had to.

[@laurasanchez7105]

Man I feel bad for these old people, they had the time of their lives when they were young and now they are old, some get drunk all day to not think about where they are now, they just don't know what to do anymore. So sad for them...

[@yikes6263]

They used to have systems that took care of them at a basic level and families around them. Now the systems are corrupt and families fled to the west for better quality of life. Same with most rural Polish towns.

[@yikes6263]

@theuser1045 thank you for describing a totalitarian communist system to someone who grew up in it.

[@patryk5315]

@@yikes6263 To nie można porównać z Polską. W Polsce jest dużo razy lepsza sytuacja niż kiedyś. For the English speaking: You can't compare ex Soviet states with Poland. Poland has his golden age in economically view now. Yea, we have rural towns who are left by the people. But our society is getting more and more weathlier. Less people are leaving Poland like in the 80s or 90s.

[@AlejandroVales]

@@patryk5315 Wow if you said the same in both languages that seems like a pretty nice compression algorithm!! :P

[@DefyDistrict]

@theuser1045 you know nothing. America is a unstainable country with 30 trillion in debt. Soviet Union had no debt and people lived well. All besides the ones under Stalin, who was disliked by his former and the after Premier. Stalin was bad, communism was good.

[@markstewart3399]

Bald: So I’ve hired a Soviet rental car. Car: I’m a Honda.

[@Fx1240]

Definitely the most legit KZbinr there is out there. You only have content, no useless sh*t and that's awesome. I always had an interest for the former Soviet Union and this is just so nice to watch!

[@beezonaut5214]

"Life was different for the miners, than for the engineers" As a miner, I can confirm that's still true haha.

[@UrAbsolutelyHonking]

The only mining I do is on minecraft 🤩

[@nadeem8989]

Llk

[@DajuOnYoutube]

Hmm, in a country with access to modern equipment/machinery? If so it's definitely better for miners than it used to be. I'd say that's probably still true even in most countries without those aforementioned machines because these days the world tend to be less accepting of people being used like work animals that barely is cared for in form of payment or an effort to keep them safe/alive. I mean in these videos alot of the people who lived in the Soviet union say things were better but I suspect alot of that was because if the leaders wanted something they got it done regardless of human expense. People didn't really have a choice if they wanted to move to some remote town to extract minerals from the ground, trees from the forests or if they put those togheter into buildings or upkeeping existing ones basically for free, or "for the motherland". A big difference now is that people have a choice and with that they tend to not do things if it isn't helping themselves out too.

[@seantaylor6438]

Shut up mate

[@beezonaut5214]

@@seantaylor6438 hope things get better for you soon

[@matthewb3725]

I cannot believe how some of the art and architecture from the USSR has held up even after years and years of neglect. Those murals are beautiful.

[@aniseedus]

Central Asian countries had a net import of funds within USSR. So they received more than they contributed. No wonder they were most against the dissolution of the union and why they are very nostalgic about it today.

[@-jank-willson]

@John Volken They should open up some businesses and factories there, give people jobs and an influx of cash to the country

[@kimkerdi9257]

Old and middle aged people are nostalgic, that is true . But it's not because of the funds tho. They miss USSR. They miss soviet people (they were/are really different). It's difficult to estimate if Kyrgyzstan received more than gave. Yeah, many buildings were constructed during USSR, education and health systems were established. But nothing in this world is for free.

[@aniseedus]

@@kimkerdi9257 well there is a reason they are nostalgic.. they miss the infrastructure, economy, education, healthcare, etc. which is possible through funds. If resources were still abundant there wouldn't be so many ruins as you saw in the video. Of course non tangible stuff can also have nostalgia, I'm not doubting that. Yeah nothing is free, they gave their natural resources, people, strategic lands, etc. which may not be quantifiable.

[@jorgepeterbarton]

@Alfonso G some of the former soviet states have the most corrupt politicians, most rampant unguided capitalism and illegal activity, or just struggle with poverty...you suddenly get capitalism and its exploited and misunderstood, just as when you suddenly get communism i guess. Its not exactly surprising some still favour ussr, and easy to say its always bad from a priveledged place in working liberal mixed economies. Societies cant adapt so fast. And didnt Marx claim it was more like an evolution 'at the right time' involving uncertainties and transitions without state apparatus. Soviet didnt do that either they forced and beurocratically planned top down. That is not marx rehecting capitalism when run its course, to be run from bottom up, without state, and for the freedom of citizens. And adam smith might say a lot about late capitalism today too...such as the necessity for states to intervene when monopoly power restricts economic freedom.

[@doublejacketjimmy391]

As a Kyrgyz I could say that as much as I hate communism Kyrgyzstan actually had its greatest days during Soviet Union. We used to be just Nomads roaming around mountains and velds then Russian Empire showed up and started their colonial campaign which caused genocide of our nation but then Great October Socialist Revolution occurred which completely changed our course of events. Since our nation back then was primitive and most of them lived in yurts we didn't have any infrastructure let alone a city. So under soviet regime government exiled a lot of people from all around USSR to help us build our country. Our lands were young and not exploited for resources so it was in priority to treat our nation well. Kyrgystan is independent and where it is now thanks to USSR. But it doesn't change the fact of them committing horrible crimes against other soviet countries. Our country now its poor because we couldn't sustain every institutions and infrastructure that was developed throughout these years since all orders used to come from Moscow and when USSR collapsed our country became pretty much Anarcho-capitalistic country and it is to this day, roughly speaking.

[@jakeyb9386]

It's funny how its more interesting to see random beaten up towns in the middle of nowhere, than it would be to watch you going through massive cities with fancy hotels. I love seeing you stopping in the most basic of "hotels" and roughing it. Keep up the good work Bald!

[@MrGooorgeous]

Bald ...the best series anywhere on the media world right now....opening up new boundaries never seen before.👍

[@twinspirationaj1266]

100%

[@moesargi]

great videos as always bro!

[@BLVCKSCORP]

Hey, wassup Moe? Where u now?!

[@sego6277]

Wow your comment suprised me Moe

[@sego6277]

@@BLVCKSCORP he lives in Ottawa,Canada

[@inajumagazin1743]

Bald, the Germans build stuff there, because they were prisioners of war and were send into the gulags to rebuild the soviet union. My own Grandfather told me he basiclly build the city of Karaganda in Sibiria. Love your Videos!!

[@KunwarAnmol]

9:20 that simplicity. He asked for only 2 that's enough. even after bald asked for 3 for them. Humanity remains. People with good heart.

[@djordjerasic7482]

At furst he only asked fir one lol, and i dont think he was really expecting ben tk buy it

[@KunwarAnmol]

@@djordjerasic7482 lol yeah.

[@pho3nix-]

I like these Soviet-era vids more than Mexico

[@meganwatson3732]

Meh

[@endosmokingtv3391]

No! These are great but the Mexico 🇲🇽 one's are way better.

[@moneywolf2344]

True this 10 times more interesting

[@emaruinedit]

Definitely agree, he has actual knowledge of the former USSR and the chats with the locals are priceless. The Mexico videos were pretty clueless daredevilry

[@choosyduchess25]

My favorite will always be when he's alone in the Soviet country.

[@cfriedel123]

Sometimes it's very sad to watch these videos, although I enjoy seeing the places you go. The people in a lot of these places deserve better. They're good people. Yet their leaders just take everything they can and let it all rot. America isn't at this point yet, but I could definitely imagine how it could be at this point some day.

[@bonafidedisappointment]

Seriously some of the best content on KZbin. It’s always absolutely riveting! Cheers from Omaha, Nebraska in the states!

[@dannydurac5795]

Back in the times of the USSR there were many german colonies in Kyrgystan/Soviet Union, because Catherine the Great invited them in the 18th century. Most of them fleed from religous prosecution, so the germans built their own villages in Kyrgystan/USSR. My parents are from Kyrgystan and lived in those villages too until they immigrated back to germany in 1990s after the collapse of the soviet union. I really enjoyed this videos from Kyrgystan, because i've never been there and could finally see something of the country my ancestors have lived for so long. Thanks so much, Bald. Keep up the good work!

[@user-dx7nn9ec6p]

В Средней Азии немцы были скорее сосланные из Поволжья в 1941, чем со времен Екатерины.

[@fweenoe9501]

Arent the germans called "silent people" in Russia because they couldn't speak Russian?

[@Tom3K_grabarzzzz]

Maybe they ware the war prisoners used to rebulid Soviet Union not all of them ware hold in the camps in Syberia

[@dannydurac5795]

@@fweenoe9501 Never heard of that before. But i think that most of them spoke russian,too. Every member of my family that lived in Russia speaks russian and german/flat-german.

[@JDoe-co9ii]

@@fweenoe9501 not only in Russian, in other Slavic languages as well. The name was originally given to any foreign person but now is only used to refer to the German.

[@doubledouble4176]

"It wouldn't be bad if Russia had us again. I'm serious." This is a great video. This is history.

[@ub4079]

Exactly!!! This is history!!!! With all the Lenin statues, and signs, etc. Only idiots are destroying their own history and statues...

[@MiaogisTeas]

@@ub4079 Yes but also "only idiots" are ignoring the massive injustices and crimes of the past and glorifying the oppression of others and pining for the old days when they had it easy because someone else had it hard.

[@damienholland8103]

@@MiaogisTeas Well said.

[@Statx94]

@@ub4079 What about lenin and his gang that blew up churches and destroed imperial legacy?

[@Khan-oz9dx]

@@ub4079 so Lenin and Stalin were idiots? they destroyed many statues, churches, etc

[@chrisandlane]

Thank you so much for doing these documentaries. Stay safe and keep the camera rolling. From a little old town of Rembert, South Carolina, population 229, we send our thanks and our love.

[@andykapratama389]

Imagine how beautiful the city was before 😔

[@hej78102]

Dont know if its a critique against all the big film and documentary makers, or just massive praise to you ben, maybe a bit of both, but you're videos are just on a completely different level to any sort of travel or history thing I've seen made by larger scale productions. The authenticity, the just enough amount of history and fact combined with the humour, the real people and interactions. Just amazing, and I think that you're approach and genuine attitude towards the people and places you meet plays a big part in that. Thanks for all these videos

[@psiangel]

Take note of no music, editing, etc. It's basically just raw video. That's what gives it the authenticity and makes it a million times better. Also unlike other people he goes to remote towns instead of popular cities giving an even larger sense of authenticity.

[@BurtonOutdoors]

Agree 👏👏👏

[@rdl4530]

@@psiangel perfect no background music or any kind of music would ruin the whole experience

[@nathan21683]

Exactly, perfect as it is. I'm always anxious when he doesn't upload for a while, but it's worth the wait for the quality of his videos.

[@yajushyajush]

Such powerful words : "What was, was....What's now is now, how can you change it? "

[@willyoustand86]

Agreed mate, one of the shortest but most insightful things I've heard in a while. Bald, please tour the Scottish Islands and Highland towns, if you can learn Spanish, even their gibberish is possible 😉

[@yajushyajush]

@@willyoustand86 bald should definitely visit sentinel island, the tribe in there has no contact with the outer world since 1000 years.

[@DrewShah]

In this context, those words were so profound

[@choosyduchess25]

it's very poetic, wrapped in a veal of disappointment. you can almost hear their helplessness.

[@yajushyajush]

@Frankie Basile Indian government tried twice to have talks with them also Indian Gov. gave some animals some bucket and other things 30 years ago but the problem is they feel scared from the modern world and government don't allow even Indians to visit that island as a human from modern day world can infect them with diseases which they are not immune to and can vanish the tribes population completely, recently one missionary guy tried entering the island and they killed him....but I can assure you if Indian government ever allow me to go there I'll make a video for sure. 🤣

[@nikhilraktale6750]

I'm not normally the kind of person whose heart melts when they see cute little kids but the little one at [12:51] ... such an angel

[@bombazine2]

"we had wine and sausage" the good old days lol

[@vgnrojo]

Yes they had a good time. Essentially this poor guy was saying they had food and drink and that now capitalism cannot deliver for the people. This guy now wonders what he is going to eat, (if you wish to laugh at his next sentence). These people defeated Nazism. They deserve respect.

[@ELo-wi7vv]

I thought the same. Wine and sausage, come on, how simple of a life is that. He's really not asking for much. It made me sad to hear him.

[@bombazine2]

@@vgnrojo where do I start with this comment?? Marxism delivered 100m deaths in order to deliver his wine and sausage. Almost everyone living in North Korea would leave for a capitalist country tomorrow. (I say almost as the top communist party leaders probably live in capitalist style luxury)

[@bombazine2]

@@ELo-wi7vv he can thank years of communism for his countries collapse and the long march back to building his country again

[@fz7091]

@@bombazine2 I dont agree with communism. But I believe the new government fucked up his country.

[@RebeccaG90]

I love the bits in these Soviet videos where Bald buys the local old guys some drink and gets a history lesson. They've sat on those benches for decades and watched the world change around them. Fascinating to hear their perspective.

[@JM-yx1lm]

Whats crazy is they have sat on that bench for years upon years and one day a man comes by and buys them a bottle out of nowhere.

[@kamil4151]

Words by usage frequency November: 1. Soviet 2. Derelict 3. Babushka Glad to see you back man! :)

[@g.o.k.a8330]

No one else can get you hooked to seeing the old, off beat soviet places like Bald does. His interactions with locals, places all work like charm! You simple can't skip or fast forward Bald's Soviet videos. He is born to explore these places, he belongs to the old soviet places (& sinks, spoons as well..lolzz )

[@patumthani]

I worked in Mailisuu for almost a year back in 2013, loved the people, beautifull country. I wonder if the Suffelyn brothers are still in charge.

[@poxer1]

15:04 This monologue describes perfectly what many people on the east side of the iron curtain feel. The more you travel, the more people you visit the better you understand the whole problem. At this point I think you are one of few people who get the whole picture perfectly. Thank you B&B!!!

[@fishy3591]

15:04 start of monologue

[@josephdehabsbourg-lorraine464]

Точно

[@nicoledu]

my parents and grandparents, who were engineers in the ussr had to move to maylisuu to work there! they told me a couple of things about this town and ive always been fascinated with it. i cant believe you traveled there, this made me very happy

[@sl3678]

Interesting! So now you live in Europe? Yes, it must be a kinda weird video for you

[@nicoledu]

@@sl3678 yes, my grandma's ancestors were originally from germany and migrated to Russia during the reign of ekaterina. 20 years ago my family went back to Germany ( I was born in Germany as well)

[@sl3678]

@@nicoledu interesting fate and it's cool when people know history of their families even for 18 century, impressive. I know that in Russia there were many specialists from Germany since Ekaterina but before i met them only in books with classic literature, haha

[@doublejacketjimmy391]

Wow cool, I live in Kyrgyzstan. The world sure is small.

[@Shafferhead]

This channel is golden. Being a history nerd in love with the ussr Era and Eastern Europe. So much fascinating stuff from there

[@Here4theComments]

The only channel with no ads, no silly intros, pure awesome content and worth bingewatching over and over and over. Keep it up mate!

[@ashutosh5392]

And he never said please suscribe to my channel and hit the bell icon

[@Crapy450]

No ads? Bruh I got 5

[@gplrm]

@@Crapy450 i think he talking about sponsored ads.

[@sofedits2872]

I legit got an ad when I clicked on it

[@Hockey-le2yc]

@@yuppy5956 probably talking about brand deals

[@j.a.entertainmenttv6128]

That is a beautiful place.

[@huntsmankhan9084]

All of central asia is underrated

[@SteveSmith-mp5fh]

Looks like a dump to me.

[@Brrrr241]

Ikr!!!

[@erturtemirbaev5207]

Visit Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬🇰🇬

[@erturtemirbaev5207]

@@SteveSmith-mp5fh you are wrong. You should visit Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬🇰🇬🇰🇬

[@LisaLoves]

The inebriated locals are hilarious! They seem such a warm people. Its a shame things have gone downhill for them. You're their buddy for life with that Schnapps. Without doubt the best travel show out there.

[@JPMJPM]

In the U.S. in my state of Tennessee, we once had a “closed town” with gates and guards: Oak Ridge. It’s one of the places where they were working on the atom bomb during World War II.

[@tripaloski_6971]

But close town means the town surrendered to the enemy so they don't destroy it and take it peacefully right ? If so then the town you're talking about is not a closed town, but it's rather a town that is closed. I may be wrong.

[@comrade8397]

'And here is a man doing something with a stick'... incisive as ever... keep educating us all Bald. Be careful out there.

[@shizWinkle]

I'm basically here for the chemical formulations.

[@comrade8397]

@@shizWinkle AMERICAN SPY!

[@slimrosco]

The pure joy of those men’s faces when you bought them two bottles of booze was just amazing. Something so simple for you to do, yet you basically just made their month for them. You are a good man Ben. Thank you.

[@mjdirectsydney]

Well said but Mr Bald has made them grateful for life.. Such great men.. Mr Bald is a champion of the soviet people of yesteryear

[@tridib2060]

Those men were the happiest. Their smile made my day. You have done the best thing buying them those two bottle.

[@TheVOLTER88]

What was , was & what is now is now. Beautiful

[@xXWorldgamefunXx]

20 seconds in: *hears the word soviet* this is going to be a good video

[@alinusgheiming]

hell yeah bro

[@piyushsingh5392]

Old Soviet😂

[@evan9536]

There will never be a better KZbin channel. I can’t thank you enough for all of these adventures. I have Slav roots but few family members in Canada with me or even alive to tell me what the time and quality of life was really like. Talking to all of these elders, Babuskas etc. has really showed me what life was like in former USSR.

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

Not true. Check out Vagrant Holiday and Surveillance Camera Man. They're the same guy just two different channels. Start with Vagrant Holiday I promise you will enjoy it if you enjoy B&B.

[@boatproductions9494]

@@sparklesparklesparkle6318 You are very wrong unfortantely, Bald is one of the best KZbinr's in his field (exploring countries, mostly former soviet union countries).

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

@@boatproductions9494 have you seen Vagrant Holiday yet?

[@boatproductions9494]

@@sparklesparklesparkle6318 Vaguely, do they explore former soviet union countries?

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

@@boatproductions9494 no but his content is way better than Balds. Not saying bald is bad, but bald is definitely not the best.

[@imandric]

Is there any KZbin channel where you can watch the villages of England or any other Western Europe country? It is quite interesting to watch a content similar to what Bald is making but filmed in a forgotten English village. I am sure there will be a lot of funny things as well :)

[@deadlyxballerina]

This is Benjamin in his prime. Educational, fun, insightful, different, fresh. Love it!

[@readmycomment3157]

I love how open the people are, they are so happy to be heard and tell their story to a stranger from a far off land.

[@raultamudo160]

"Benjamin, listen... *Long pause* everybody in this town is Nuts :D"

[@DCTravelerExperience]

I burst out laughing at that. What funny people 😂✌🏻

[@alpachino7659]

Wrong translation. In fact he said (pointing at his mates) they are sick (hangover).

[@maxstreltsov]

@@alpachino7659 +1

[@quad131215]

he actually said everybody is sick (or ill) prob meaning corona

[@maxstreltsov]

@@quad131215 nooo, meaning was exactly about hangover.

[@peterfromdenmark4222]

I lived in Kyrgyzstan for three years, Bald you are the best guide/storyteller on YT

[@provo4]

The man has balls. Going to somewhere like this on my own would terrify me maybe also depress me. I guess just being there in the moment your worries go away.

[@santanuroy1434]

"No wonder so many of the people miss the USSR." Benjamin said it all with that one liner.

[@maxwelljames3573]

Fundamentally, socialism is the ultimate form of egalitarian cooperation that dissolves the value of currency and upholds the value of humanity. Sadly, there is still money. Sadly, there is still value attributed to that money. Therefore, it is pure human nature (and nothing inherently wrong with it!) to seek to obtain as much power as possible, and money is the easiest way. And in such a society, corruption and lying are the easiest mechanisms to achieve such power. It's a shame we can't be like any great social insect, but it wouldn't be human to do so. I think the average person should want a socialist society as they are the ones who on average would benefit the most from lower wealth inequality and redistribution of power, but with some differences that ensures human nature doesn't rot it from the inside. Capitalism is no better, as of right now. Its on the cusp of its own collapse for the same reasons the Soviets fell, but people don't read history. They don't realise they may end up collapsing Western States out of their own endless greed. Every society is one short week away from collapse. These people who are left here, ambition is gone. They don't have infrastructure, they don't have skills. They don't have resources to build infrastructure. They don't have the knowledge. How many people do you know could build a town? Concrete, for example... Steel? Circuit boards? Engines? It takes an entire nation to produce enough lunatics to figure out and have the drive and backing to build everything we enjoy and use.

[@a4t976]

@@maxwelljames3573 I am of the opinion that all humans can overcome their so called "nature". We are no doubt above this by now.

[@badgerpa9]

The miners do not miss the USSR they died from the radiation poisoning.

[@wongjowo9152]

@@badgerpa9 source?

[@Goodkidjr43]

So why did ALL the Eastern European nations under the USSR want their freedom? Because it was hell on earth living under the USSR.

[@Cma2506]

As a person obsessed with anything soviet ,having done with every Russian War Series on star Media,Mars Media ..etc ,I was looking for whats next to quench my CCCP thirst.There comes Bald with his forever Soviet adventures.I am more than Glad😌

[@allanallen1835]

Watch a movie called Letter to Brezhnev 1980s movie has what your looking for.

[@arsinclair]

And he is more than Bald

[@Iamtheliquor]

allan allen the lead actress in that film (Alexandra pigg) lived across the road from me in Liverpool. Her dad taught me to drive.

[@thetwinstudy8393]

I started watching this in 2020 and took a drink every time he said Maylisuu. I just woke up.

[@francoislionet4904]

Your videos are incredible. I am you in those places. I am the one touching the strings of the piano. I am amazed by the strength contained in the mosaic... NOW I understand Gerard Depardieu, famous French actor who left for Russia 20 years ago. I left France for Norway then Poland 5 years ago. Fed up of hell. Poland is heaven./ Life real life is on the East not West.

[@mickyarams]

Mr Bald has the second best British narrating voice after Sir David Attenborough.

[@DCTravelerExperience]

As British as it can be .. love his accent. 👌🏻✌🏻

[@patrickhoward6954]

Damn, I don’t think people realise how informative and interesting Balds videos are, the insight he gives into these peoples lives whilst staying respectful is top class, he is the only KZbinr I watch every video of and never come away thinking ‘that could of been better’ keep up the work Bald! Safe travels

[@paulgimlik15969]

I couldn’t agree more! A true KZbin hero!

[@MekoUnknown]

I just love watching this dudes natural interactions with the locals. No scripts, no setups, its all dynamic and natural. Bald has social skills!

[@alexgalimov8682]

Some trivia for you, Ben: the ethnic Russian-Germans were forcefully moved to Central Asia and Siberia from the Volga region by Stalin right before WWII

[@user-ri5ip1wu9g]

Oh

[@nursuluplatt4229]

These Germans were never allowed anywhere near places such Mailysuu.

[@amanr6346]

There is a profound stoicism amongst the people throughout these former Soviet republic’s, with a characteristic dry sense of humour! Amazing videos Bald!! 👍😀

[@leoguerra4516]

indeed, tough People

[@QED_]

@Nama R: I'm afraid that's because . . . all the others die off.

[@mrprannayraj]

"Everyone Here is Nuts" is an Epic statement for people there.

[@shawnkemp166]

Actually what he said is - everyone of us (at that bench) is sick aka hangover

[@sl3678]

@@shawnkemp166 +

[@normatwater7419]

Love your videos i have seen and learned so much of the world with you than i have been in my travels with the 24 years in the U.S. Navy Thanks from South Carolina USA.

[@gotmullets]

Love your channel. Love how friendly everyone seems when you travel!

[@mildbill2806]

Howdy from Texas....I surely get a real kick watching all your mighty fine peeks into hidden areas of this ol' world. You are a mighty great history teacher. You have taught us sooo much, more than any classroom could ever do.

[@badgerpa9]

Just remember the thousands that died in the mine and from radiation poisoning, while leaving behind piles of poison that will last for thousands of years.

[@antonioprgomet5168]

Without you, I wouldn't even heard of places like these😁thank you Bald

[@erturtemirbaev5207]

Visit Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬🇰🇬

[@mr.typhon7997]

i love how honest the guy was to say that two bottles was enough.

[@ExplorewithSvetlin]

In Bulgaria we have had the same - “Универсален магазин” - basically the mall of all smaller towns during the soviet era.

[@c.james1]

What about the journey over the mountains?? I was looking forward to that journey! lol.

[@Vlammenzee]

Same here, i hope he still shows that, would be a real shame if he leaves that out completely.

[@Remy.-]

Funny anekdote; A few years ago i was traveling in georgia by myself and when i told a fellow traveler my travel plans for east europe and told him im also learning russian, he asked me; ' Do you know bald and bankrupt? '. Whereupon i replied what the hell is a bald and bankrupt?. Then the kid told he it was a travel youtuber, and i thought jeez, that doensn't sound like my cup of tea. Only some years later i came across bald's youtube channel and needless to say im loving it to the core of my soul

[@DDrew67]

So quick to judge....As the sun sets on the mighty empire I'll be left without a clue

[@Lamesoeder]

A few years ago? Seems not very trustable your story as this channel is not that old...

[@Remy.-]

@@Lamesoeder like i care if you believe my story xD

[@akhilraaj]

@@Lamesoeder yep in the beginning he mainly went around india

[@choosyduchess25]

@@Lamesoeder Well, OP said some years ago. Since Bald's channel is around 2-3 years old, I think it fits his story.

[@SuperCompany007]

Thank you so much for showing us these people's stories. They deserve to have their voices heard after all they've went through.

[@beefchimichangaSalvo]

I had to subscribe! Thank you for the great videos,great people and taking us with you on these great adventures!

[@charlottethien3749]

Mr. Bald , I was delighted to see this new video. It was nice to see a “House of Culture”, still intact and showing it’s beauty . Even to see the two story house , showing the town had some nice things , even if for the specially imported workers . I wonder who it was that turned nice buildings, anything beautiful into rubble . Thank you for the historical and cultural discussion as you show us around. Things that we’d never see in a history book . Glad to see your recovery , and hopefully others around the globe will recover over time, as well . Many prayed for you . I hope you realize that ! Hope to see you soon . Stay well , safe, and healthy. Hello to Fidel and Alinck💕

[@user-of2gd7nv5s]

The best house of culture is our very own palace of culture of the glorious Monolith. Slava Monolita you damn infused

[@user-of2gd7nv5s]

Infidel

[@ryanvargas4889]

Bald puts the FUN in DEFUNCT!

[@kissmablaekaess87]

The rubble and abuse was done by capitalists who stole all of the ressources and left the people to starve...

[@user-of2gd7nv5s]

@@kissmablaekaess87 Every system made by infidels is made for destruction, the Monolith is the only answer but you'll never get it infidel

[@cmac6136]

I have learned a thousand times more from you compared to history class all through school.

[@abcdefghijklmnop5587]

Yet another proof of how utterly useless the „educational” system really is

[@PandoraApocalypse]

Couldn't agree more with you

[@matty6848]

Brilliant video Ben. Just shows how utterly forgotten and abused the people of these former Soviet republics really are. I can imagine at the height of the Soviet Union, these people lived comfortable, happy lives. Thanks to poor leadership & corruption they now live the complete opposite.

[@sabinebouchara7074]

Certainly one of the most interesting video that you made! Well done!

[@florianleisering3470]

Hey Bald, a lot of germans who lived in the wolga region got deported by stalin into Kyrgyzstan. Even today there are still some german communities left in the country, although most of them went back to russia or germany.

[@kamil4151]

I have to comment one more time - this must have been the best documentary series (including yesterday's video) I have seen in a long time. Sad and beautiful, makes me appreciate being in the country that kind-of made it after Soviet Union fell apart. Thanks for these amazing videos!

[@yosh921]

How did what country make the Soviet Union kinda fall apart? can you explain that for me? 😅

[@tommychoppa7564]

What the hell did you even say? He just said that hes glad the country made it through the soviet collapse..

[@yosh921]

oups, missread that XD

[@MrTeknics]

I could not figure out are you hungarian or not, but your name Szabó is a hungarian word means tailor in english. ...just wanted to mention this...

[@janis7077]

@@MrTeknics Kamil is a common polish name, I'm assuming he might be polish.

[@orioncampos]

This was a truly great video. Good job!

[@M-O-Z]

I've just discovered your channel and watched about 6 videos in a row. One of the best most informative and entertaining channels I've come across.

[@sjurkvam6841]

I spent a couple of days in Kyrgyzstan during my short trip to central asia. One of the friendliest and prettiest countries i've been in! The nature is breathtaking, absolutely stunning, and i'm from norway... All the people i met during my days there helped me in some way, they drove us, they fed us,they showed us their homes, and they proudly shared their traditions with us! I'm going back for sure!

[@magpie3966]

I have the same plan, want to travel to central Asia from Germany with a car. which vehicle do you use and how long does it take? And which countries du you cross ?

[@sjurkvam6841]

@@magpie3966 i don't know the roads there too well, but i guess you have to drive through a lot of russia! If you get to Omsk, you could pass through the altai mountsins down into Nursultsn, almaty and then Bishkek!

[@Mr4elobaka]

@@magpie3966 It's better to use SUV, because the roads in the countryside in Central Asia, between the cities, are completely destroyed (even in many cities as well, as you can see from these videos). Even with a SUV you can easily ruin your suspension, so it's not an easy trip by a car. And it will take you a lot of time, driving with a max speed of 40 kmph. If you want to go all the way from Germany: Poland -> Ukraine or Belarus -> Russia -> Kazakhstan -> Kyrgyzstan. Last two countries have a lot of deserts and steppe.

[@doublejacketjimmy391]

As a Kyrgyz I'm glad you liked it. Wishing you safe and great trip for a second time. :)

[@magpie3966]

@@Mr4elobaka Okay thank you for the informations. I have a Toyota Land Cruiser with Offroad suspension(Lift Kit) and other Offroad conversions so i think my car can keep the roads. Do you know if i need a visa in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?

[@thecasualcaribou]

This is why I want to learn Russian. Russians and people from former Soviet Union are so friendly

[@yasenkrasen1581]

Well, get ready for the horror of Russian grammar and cases.

[@AndreiBerezin]

From what I've seen on the Internet, foreigners seem to get stuck on our word flexibility and excessive number of cases, aspects etc. But dont let it stop you, because as soon as you gain basic vocabulary, you can just binge watch Russian KZbin for hours, and it may serve you better than learning grammar rules. You just remember word forms for different situations. Plus it's the only way to learn the stress in each word, that is not reflected in the spelling in any way. Wish you luck

[@hellopolly2691]

Including Putin?

[@thecasualcaribou]

@@AndreiBerezin I’ve already been studying Russian vocabulary. Me already learning 3 other non native languages to me, should give me a little help to learning Russian.

[@thisismyname5657]

@@thecasualcaribou How do you go about learning a language?

[@DadWithAVision]

This was an excellent series. I could watch hours of this type of vlogs. Keep them coming.

[@gars1074]

Another GREAT video. Really enjoy the vids and particularly your commentaries, opinions and observations!!

[@prady1829]

Congratulations everyone. You've got to know about a place that just this morning you may not even have thought you'll know exists. Maybe even over entire lifetimes we never would have found that places like Maaylii-Suu, with such history and past importance, existed. Thanks internet. And KZbin. And Mr Bald

[@douglasmorgan9873]

The "some kinda instrument" on the floor was a broken piano.

[@eriks8335]

It looks like a zither to me not a piano

[@psiangel]

@@eriks8335 that's definitely a broken piano

[@evan9536]

@watashi I didn’t know either. I thought it was perhaps a damaged harp haha

[@baldandbankrupt]

@@evan9536 That's exactly what I thought too tbh

[@smoketheartist9501]

@@baldandbankrupt ily ben

[@vgnrojo]

Bald. I love your videos, and I watch them all with real genuine interest. In this one you talk about 'the constant propaganda of the Soviet Union and that everyone was reminded as to who was in charge'. Are we not reminded every day of capitalist power in the west? Are we not told every day 'who is in charge' and that there is no alternative? Do we not see the monopoly capitalists enriching their lives at our expense? Do we not see the fast food chains and 'coffee' shops day in day out that populate our high streets? In many of your great videos, where you speak to people who lived under the soviet system, you come across people, who have a real yearning for the USSR to return. People who lived much better back then. They had a sense of community, a civic pride, jobs, decent homes, free education. Now the reality is gangsterism, unemployment, a flight of young workers and homelessness. 27 million people perished defending the soviet union from Nazism. These were proud people who were rightly proud of the USSR's great achievements. Now every day they are reminded of the disaster of the market and the havoc it has wreaked upon their lives. Keep making these videos Bald. I love seeing the architecture and the people you meet.

[@yosrchebbi8165]

Your exploring vids are the best thank you for taking us with you in these journeys 💓

[@matthap5319]

"The Germans" that built the water fountain were probably Volga Germans / Поволжские немцы. There have been numerous waves of German immigration, most notably under Catherine The Great and just after the Russian Revolution. Under Stalin many were "relocated" to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Siberia and elsewhere. The German immigrants, usually farmers, had a reputation for being quite clever with making barren soil fertile and often built irrigation systems in the USSR. While in Kyrgyztan, you might want to check out the town of Rot-Front / Рот-Фронт, not too far away from Bishkek...

[@topdown30]

During and after World War II Stalin deported Volga Germans to Maylisuu to work in the mines and factories

[@matthap5319]

@@topdown30 Thanks for adding that part about this specific town. As I wrote, in general the German minorities were relocated to remote areas of the USSR, as they were seen as part of the defeated war party. There are pretty liberal laws nowadays in Germany for ethnic Germans to establish residence in Germany. Most people took the offer in the 90s already, with about 200.000 people arriving every year. Nowadays it is down to about 5000 per year. When I visited Rot-Front last year, I couldn't find any German speaking people there. My Russian is lousy, but if I understood correctly, the locals said that people either left after the collapse of the SU or have died by now.

[@K-sp]

Or perhaps POW's, which would explain why they were working on the war memorial.