A view from Bogd Khan, a sacred mountain looking down into the city of Ulaanbaatar.  ASU is very close by.

 

This is a ger camp in the same area with a two humped camel spitting at anyone who got to close!

Bogd Khan is a very popular hiking area.  I didn't go far because I had forgotten it's about 10 degrees less than in Zaisan.  As you can see the fall colors are coming alive.

It's very quiet--a perfect place to meditate.

Around and about in UB....

My PA, Muugii.  She's been at ASU for a long time and worked with my PA, Booggii in 2009-2011.  She's wonderful!!!

This is the area called Zaisan near ASU.  The cream colored building in the middle used to be a Buddhist sanctuary only surrounded by the beautiful hills.  I don't think the monks are there now.  You can see how much encroachment has occurred. 

A chain!!!  The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in UB.  The gals on the right are teachers, Morene and Christy.

We are celebrating my birthday at one of my favorite restaurants, Veranda--Italian.  In the background is a Buddhist temple surrounded by development.

My lunch at school--Udon with lots of beef, mushrooms and bok choy.  Only 5000 tughriks or $2.50.  Hot and delicious!

One of the few Buddhist temples in UB.  The boys are studying to be monks.  I went inside, but couldn't take any photos.

First day of school. My second graders.

Please watch the very short video of my class.

Some interesting sights around town....

All the new teachers had to go to the local clinic to get tested for HIV and TB.  Don't you just love the blue booties!

The area called Zaisan which is where ASU is located has really changed.  Good news the Buddha statue is still here and I think it will stay.

 

 

I played tour guide for these new teachers--Christy, who teaches second grade with me, Steve, resource and Maureen, third grade.  It was fun!

Chinggis Khan statue at Sukhbaatar Square.  When I was here three years ago, you could not get this close to the statue.  Perhaps it has changed because the Chinese president is coming to the city and in two weeks Putin will be here.

This is near the school and it's very dusty.  Not sure how this works!

Hello from Ulaanbaatar (UB), Mongolia. As I walked around the city, I noticed several changes. Some I'll share now, others later. Many of you will recall my stories of dodging traffic as a pedestrian. Well, UB has installed the green and red men with good results. However, there are those who still can't give up the old ways!

The city looks a lot cleaner because these trash containers are everywhere.  Wow!

I'm having lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Cozy Nomads, with my favorite person in Mongolia, my PA from three years ago, Boogii.  It was my first time meeting her son, Huchit, pronounced whocheat.  I'm bound and determined to learn Mongolian!!!

On My Way Back....





A future Mongolian traveler?

Merry Christmas

Last Friday night we had our Holiday program at Centro Formacao Joao Paulo II, a beauiful garden setting where you can walk among the Stations of the Cross. I'm leaving this Sat. for Bali and then home on Dec. 18 for two weeks to enjoy family and friends!