New vs Old Country vs City

Many times we take photos of only the "beautiful" things and not the day to day activities/changes that go on in any place that make it what it is or will be.  I live in an area of Ulaanbaatar called Zaisan and when I was here the first time it was mainly country, not city with a few small buildings and the Buddha statue.  Our school was the tallest structure around.  Well, that has certainly changed.  Mongolia's economy is not what it used to be so we're not sure where the money is coming from to build these huge apartment buildings.  But that's another story.  Change has its good side and not so good side and a whole lot in the middle that no one is sure about.  By the way, all these photos are within a mile or less of my school/apartment.

This is the way I walk to the bus etc. and this is supposed to be a sidewalk, but cars seem to rule.

Same walk to the bus and this wire has been hanging since last spring!!!

Trash has always been a problem in Ulaanbaatar, but maybe it's worse with all the new construction. 

Off to the right is a very luxurious apartment complex and off to the left are mainly gers.

This is the same apartment complex and further down is a very nice and new hospital.  Inside the extremely tall fence on the right is the juvenile detention center.

I took this photo for the contrast, but also because I never see numbers on buildings etc. and sure enough there's number 47 on the fence.  But I don't think the road has a name.

These are the children hauling water to their gers.  A very common sight.  Most of the time I only see the children doing this--two of them maybe 5 years old.  

This is one of my "haunts" Tom 'n Toms for tea/coffee.  It's right down the street from my school.  To get to it...well, see below.

They somewhat improved the roads over the summer, but still no sidewalk for us pedestrians. 

This little guy is trying to get across before any cars come.  He knows they don't stop!

Part of the problem with all the new construction is that it's taken a toll on the roads.  This is right where I walk to get back to my apartment.  It's always a challenge, but we've learned to say, "it's Mongolia!"

Ah! I found a new place, close by at the university and voila someone is growing sunflowers.  So beautiful!!!