Thanksgiving in Mongolia and more....

I'll be home in less than two weeks for the rest of the holiday season! 

Thanksgiving in Mongolia with Christy.  By the way, this was taken with one of those new Polaroid cameras.

 

ASU Thanksgiving in motion....

Mark and Kathleen carving the two turkeys that cost $93.00 each!  This was the first time for several of the Mongolians to eat turkey, and guess what, they really liked it:)

Recently, grades 2-5 went on a field trip to an international camp outside the city.  Below is a video of students and teachers dancing.

 

Somehow, I'm always in the presence of Nordstrom (right down the street from State Department Store).

Several weeks ago, I was honored to be a part of a Mongolian hair cutting ceremony for Boogii's little boy.  Everyone participates.  Please read the link about this important hair cutting tradition.

So handsome!!!

 



239th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Ulaanbaatar

The Few, The Proud, The Marines

Yesterday, I attended the first ever Marine Ball in Ulaanbaatar.  It was an honor to be a part of this!  About 160 people were present--including twenty from our school and many Mongolians from different walks of life.  It was amazing to see our two countries/cultures come together.  It made me proud to be an American.

I met the U.S. Ambassador Piper Campbell, Lt.Col. Ruth Pulaski (retired), and the eight marines who are stationed at the Embassy.  Please click on this link to learn more about the Marine Security Guard

I have added photos and two short videos that I think you'll really like.

Some of you know how much I love to dance--well, I danced until midnight and it was very fun!!!

Sometimes I'm really surprised at all the things I'm learning by being on this journey.

Mark, ASU middle school teacher married to Kathleen (next photo), also middle school teacher

Lt.Col. Ruth Pulaski

Hey, what can I say....

U.S. Ambassador Piper Campbell

 

 

Halloween in Mongolia!

October, 7-day tour of northern Mongolia with Morene, 3rd grade teacher from ASU.

We stopped at this ger to stretch our legs.  The Mongolians are very friendly and always invite you in to have milk tea and biscuits.  You can see the biscuits "baking" in the sun.  For most of our trip we stayed in similar gers.  There's no running water and only the wide open spaces! 

We climbed all types of terrain in this vehicle!

Our tour guide, Oogii preparing lunch out of the back and our driver.  The two of them were so amazing!!!

We had pasta for lunch with a view of the rolling hills.  How did she do it?!

On our way to Lake Khuvsgul, but first a stop at Amarbayasgalant Monastery.

A view from the monastery of a Buddha statue.

As you walk up the stairs to the statue you pass three drums that you turn and circle three times in meditation.

A view from the top.  Much of the monastery was destroyed by the Russians, but around 1990 with the help of various organizations a lot has been restored.  Our ger is on the right. 

The monks are preparing for their ceremony.  Today 30 monks live here compared to 2000 in 1936.

We stopped at another ger for refreshments.  On the ground next to me was a slaughtered goat or sheep. 

Sometimes on our drive we were on a road like this and other times we were bumping along in the dirt.  Our driver was amazing!!!

Lake Khuvsgul in northern Mongolia, the "Switzerland of Mongolia."

Our ger is on the right and has a spectacular view of the lake as well as the beautiful mountains.

 

This is the deepest lake in Mongolia and sister lake to Lake Baikal in Russia.  We were not far from the border.  We were here for two nights and three days and I took lots of walks!

Sunrise!

The yak was not cooperating.

Yes, that's me and Morene ready to ride the famous Mongolian horses.  We were told they are not pets, have no names, semi-wild and don't make any sudden moves because they could just take off.  They are truly of Chinggis Khan!!!

We rode around part of the lake.

Our last view of the lake from the top.

Before and after....

This photo was taken on Friday when we had our Sports Day.  That's my blue team!  The temperature was around 60 F.

Two days later a shot from my apartment window as it's snowing and the temperature was 25 F.  Same field.  Also you can see all the construction that is going on.

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!!!