Unusual Weather.

Today, when I woke up, there was snow!!! It had snowed during the night and was snowing in the morning. The streets, the mountains, the cars, everything was in a blanket of white.
Snow at the end of May. This has got to be the weirdest weather I've ever experienced. My grandmother said that this was unusual weather, so don't think that this happens all the time.

Here are some pictures to prove it:



The first is the view outside my grandmother's apartment. The second was taken on the way to work.

Concert with traditional Mongolian music and dancing

I watched a concert a few days ago.

But before I watched that concert, I went shopping for tires with my uncle. In Mongolia, to buy tires for cars, one must go to one of the many auto repair shops around the city or go to the flea market, which has many tires. We did both because we were looking for the best deal. According to my uncle, Chinese tires are the cheapest, but their quality is questionable. Korean tires make the most sense; they're relatively inexpensive and have high quality. Japanese tires are the best quality, but they're quite expensive (did anyone know that Bridgestone was a Japanese brand? *Shock*) AND I learned what the three numbers on the tire means. Most shops have humongous signs outside but aren't very big inside, about the size of a classroom. Inside, they have glass counters with various auto parts from various cars inside. On the wall, they have the bigger objects, such as front bumpers, lights, and seat covers. Tires are stacked high next to the counters. The flea market bustles with people who shop, haggle, and make a living in this epitome of capitalism; some are dressed very nicely, and some look like the hobos in downtown San Francisco. Everything is dusty, but the prices are cheaper. The biggest one in Ulaanbaatar is probably about five football fields. I bet you can find anything at the flea market. It has everything from live chickens to a coffee table to brand name clothes. The section with the tires takes up an entire side.

Here are some pictures of the flea market:

(the guy waving is my uncle Khudree!)

Mongolian society is changing so much and so fast. A small part is getting extremely wealthy, and another part is getting even poorer. However, the good news is that I notice that a stable, growing, educated middle class is emerging. When I left Mongolia nine years ago, no one had any money. Almost all of the income went to food and other necessities; no money for fun. But, today the situation is different. People are going to the movies, shopping for nice clothes, buying tasty food, and even travelling to other countries for vacation. Things are improving, but it will take time. There is also so much movement going on; life here is exciting. Let's see what happens during the four months that I am here.

Well, after I went to the flea market (and bought four new Korean tires), our family went to see a concert with traditional Mongolian music and dancing (as the title of the post suggests). It was very entertaining, and the costumes were bright and colorful. The audience was mostly foreign tourists, and I think that was to whom the concert was directed. There are better shows, but this was a good introductory concert. I'm definitely going to more. In June, I'm going to go see a Mongolian Opera!

Here are some pictures that I took at the concert (with the flash off, of course):

The lady in the first picture is dancing with three cups balanced on her head. The second picture shows Mongolian contortionists. The third pictures shows the orchestra that provided the traditional music. The fourth picture is of my brother watching.

Saturday Trip

The organization that I volunteer for has an eight month leadership training program that introduces and teaches 24 recent Mongolians the art of leadership. Saturday was their graduation, so our organization took them all to Terelj National Park, and my role in all of this was to take pictures. So, I did. Lots of pictures.

We arrived at our meeting place in the morning and divided into two groups, a large group that travels in the bus and a small group that travels behind the bus in a minivan. I was on the bus. Actually, in the front of the bus. Actually, right next to the gearshift in a most uncomfortable position on the bus. But, since I was in the front, I got to take some pretty cool pictures of the trip.

Here's some:

And on the way we passed by camels and horses and other Mongolian people:



At the park, my coworkers and I climbed up a very tall cliff with rocky falls and steep slopes. I flexed some rock-climbing muscle and reached the top and took some pictures.
Here:


These are GERS!

Overall, awesome trip. I had mucho fun. I want to go ride a camel, really bad. Maybe on the next trip...

What I do when I'm not working

When I am not working at organizations, I babysit. But babysitting definitely should be called something else because there is absolutely no sitting involved. Perhaps something like: baby-constant-following-and-keeping-safe. I used to babysit my brother all the time, but here in Mongolia, I have to babysit him plus two little cousins. So, I babysit two 2 year olds and a five year old. It's infinitely harder than babysitting one child because the two little ones always want the same toy, and they'll resort to violent means to get it. Lion tamers have an easier time with their lions. Anyhow, they're fun 90% of the time, so it's cool.
Here's a picture of my little posse:

I'm working now!

On Monday, I was contacted by an American counselor (psychologist) here who researches play therapy. She was here to teach play therapy to doctors in Mongolia, and we went to the National Cancer Center to help the doctors with their younger patients. It was just so heartbreaking to hear about these little kids who have cancer. What play therapy actually does (I learned) is that it helps little kids express their emotions through play because their verbal skills are not as developed as older children and adults. We practiced on this very cute four year old boy. The American doctor would say something in English, and I would translate that into Mongolian. Or if the Mongolian doctors had any questions, I would translate that into English.

Very satisfying to help. And I discovered that counselors are all very, very kind.


Addendum to last post: On the escalators, a sign was reminding us to "watch out for oldsters and child." I laughed so hard at that one. But I don't know if I am a youngster or an oldster.

I'm here!

Luggage!

Travel is what a person makes of it. For me, it is always fun. Every twist and turn (like a flight delay, etc.) is an experience to be cherished. So, optimism serves me well.

Start of Trip (Thursday, May 15th)

Since the flight was in the afternoon, we got to sleep in a little bit. And we had finished packing the night before, so the morning was not at all rushed. The fact that I was traveling halfway around hadn't really hit me. I was just excited about the airplane food (which I like for many reasons).

SFO Pictures!

During the flight:

Overall, it was a good experience, although service left something to be desired. First of all, the Air China flight attendants should really work on their English, as well as, their courtesy. My guess is that the Chinese language does not have words for "please" (which is the case in Mongolian). However, I got to eat airplane food, so it's all good.

Our plane posing with my brother.
Beijing

The Beijing airport is an very clean, big place. The preparations that that place is making for an upcoming sporting event are tremendous! The airport is humongous, and there are people for almost everything. For instance, they had these girls, who were in yellow satin suits with large red sashes draped across their shoulders, placed in various posts around the airport just to answer questions and direct passengers. And lots of security guards who had their own unique uniform as well. Oh! The uniforms. What is it with communists and uniforms? I guess the whole thing about everyone being in the same class. Anyhow, while we were admiring the size and efficiency of the Beijing airport, there was a mishap with our flight being delayed for 12+ hours and us being transported to a hotel. The only thing we did at the airport was sleep. Again, all part of the adventure. The one feeling that I feel that I must remark on is during my whole stay in Beijing, I felt so much pity for all the people who worked at the airport. For example, being a bathroom attendant is not a pleasant job, but I bet that that post had many many applicants, and the person who got the job must have been quite happy. It's hard to comprehend how fortunate I am to be living in America.

Look at Beijing's Awesome Airport:

On a funny side note:

Some of the literal English translations are hilarious!

I don't remember some of the really funny ones, but from the top of my head:

"Being careful not to loses one balance, please!" - very polite.

The immigration line that I went through was called "foreigners" -Not at all the politically correct American "visitors"

Another funny thing was the marching. All the immigration officers marched together through the airport, looking quite full of themselves. They looked slightly ridiculous to my eyes, but the other airport employees looked at the marchers with such awe.

Arrival in Mongolia was at 2 am on Sunday. My mom, my brother, and I were greeted by many family members: grandma and several uncles and aunts. Oh happy day! Glory be!

Now it is May 19th. I am in my Grandmother's apartment, which is very nicely furnished. My little tiny grandmother gave me yogurt and is sleeping now.

Update on Travel

Just lots and lots of packing.

I just remembered!

Today is Mother's day!

Happy Mother's day to all you mothers and people with mothers.

First Post

Hello People,

This is my first post. Hmm. Interesting post.

Oh! And, by the way, I don't really know how to work this blog thing... but I'll learn! No worries.