Mount Santa Claus in Kyrgyzstan

There is an Associated Press story from Central Asia this morning that the tourist authorities in Kyrgyzstan, in spite of being a very Muslim nation, are planning to name a mountain "Mount Santa Claus."

And why would they do that, you might well ask?

TOURISM!

The plan is to hold annual "games" in which Santas from far and wide will compete in appropriate events such as chimney climbing, tree decorating, sled racing, etc. Of course people will love the novelty and come to watch. They will stay in hotels, eat food, buy souvenirs, take side trips and spend money.

This is a brilliant idea. Most people have never even heard of Kyrgyzstan and certainly can't spell it. Now they will have a reason to go there!