HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays to my friends and family around the world!  Just a few photos to introduce this warm (inside) and festive season to all.  I'll be traveling home in just two weeks and always excited to touch down at LAX and share the joys with all:)

Now who said we couldn't get jellied cranberry sauce in a can in Mongolia?  Voila!  We had this and other goodies to make our American Thanksgiving very special:)

 

Well, this is me, of course.  I call this putting on my battle gear to venture outside.  A lot of us are now wearing masks because the pollution is very, very bad. The hazardous air quality is sometimes higher than Beijing--reminiscent of LA in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.  But in this season of hope, there's always hope that it'll get better.

 

Christmas trees are everywhere in UB lighting up both the inside and

 

the outside.  May this be a special time for you:)

I recently spent a week in the eastern Gobi Desert of Mongolia visiting some places I had seen in 2011 and new wonderful places--a few national parks and Black Mountain/Khamar Monastery/Energy Center. In my blog I tried to capture a different perspective.

We're on our way to the Gobi, but first a stop for a delicious lunch prepared by Oogii, my tour guide and Muugii, my driver. 

The road less traveled.

Our first night was spent in a ger with this wonderful family.  This little boy is 4 years old and has already learned from his parents how to herd the sheep and goats! 

I saw a lot of cats that stay inside gers, but are also let out to hunt for mice.

A lovely woman who spoke a little English which she's learning from tourists.

They're roped together making it easier to milk.

I love camels and really like this shot.  I was out of the car and when I got closer to them, the leader moved a little in the opposite direction and they all followed. 

The sun was setting in the west as the full moon was rising in the east.  It was spectacular!!!

It was towards the end of the season and because of that we were very much alone in many places.  This is a ranger station; the ranger had left, but we were able to stay in his ger.  This is the Ikh Gazariin Chuluu National Park and there are gray wolves around.

A vulture coming in for a landing trying to find something to eat.

It's always nice to get home to a regular bathroom!!!

We spent two nights in this beautiful place (just us and the ranger below)--Ikh Nart National Park--home to mountain goats and sheep.

A sort of Mongolian Jeremiah Johnson.

We're leaving the ger camp on our way to Black Mountain.

The Gobi Desert is considered a spiritual energy center because of its volcanic properties.  This is Black Mountain and the stupas were constructed by Buddhist monks--only men are allowed to go to the top, women are considered impure.  People visit this place as well as the Khamar Monastery and the Energy Center for a type of pilgrimage.

A monk in the making at Khamar Monastery.

The Energy Center or Shambhala is right up the road from the Khamar Monastery.  Off in the distance is Black Mountain.  It's a beautiful place.

Yes, that's me and my driver.

 

At one time Buddhist monks lived in these caves.

Again, people make pilgrimages starting at the monastery and walking up the path, around the stupas until they reach the Energy Center.

Khamar Monastery

These photos were taken over the last few weeks as I wandered the city experiencing the changes in the seasons.

He's the caretaker of this part of the monastery and I guess it was a good time to take a nap!

If you need a bath, you need a bath:)

At this time of the year it's very common to see people selling food.  Our school is right up the street.

Taking care of Granny:)

I've been trying to take advantage of the good weather which I know is changing so I went hiking up above the school in the preserve, Bogd Khan.

Typical traffic jam in Zaisan on a weekday!

I was playing around with my camera and liked this shot!

Next to the Hummer is a watering station for those who live in the gers.

I also like this photo showing the beautiful fall colors:)

You don't see this in Aliso Viejo!

Gandan is probably my favorite monastery.

I had lunch with Boogii, her husband, son (Khuchit) and finally met her 3 month old daughter, Angela:)

I'm back in UB.

Yes, I have returned to UB.  This is my “green” edition of my blog for all those who think it’s never green in Mongolia!  They had a very wet summer and voila!  I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

You don't get a sky like this in So. CA!

A view of Chinggis Square and the Mongolian Parliament building from Monet's on the 17th floor.  I was having my birthday lunch:)

Water and trees...YES!!!

This English Club meets every Saturday.  It's a great way to get out in the community!  And of course, the baby is adorable:)

And you all know this is my hangout--Tom-n-Toms and the TREES!

A view of the Tuul River from yet another coffee place.  Really I do more than just drink coffee.

The Tuul River from the bridge.

 

 

"Returning to Mongolia"

Please see my article, "Returning to Mongolia," published by Still Crazy Literary Magazine

Almost Time For Me to Come Home For the Summer

I have a few interesting shots to share before I come home in two weeks to enjoy beautiful California!

We had a long, hard winter.  I think we're over the hump, but just two weeks ago we had a snowstorm!  It melted within a day, but come on folks!!!

Our school is right across the street.  I think this really shows the diversity in Mongolia, especially UB and even more so in Zaisan which is the Beverly Hills of UB.

Can McDonald's be far behind?

Huge military show at the Chinggis Square downtown.

My favorite person in Mongolia--my former PA, Boogii who is pregnant with a girl and her very active 4yr. old son, Khuchit.