The End of September

This is a traditional Mongolian design that is seen throughout the country.

Snow has arrived here

The new hiking activity.  It may possibly replace scenic viewing. 

The summit of Tsetsee Gun in sight. 

One of 4 holy sights in the Bodg Khan Mountains.  This is called an "ovoo" like oboe.  The blue strips of material symbolize prayers that were delivered at this sight.  We are at about 7500ft. 

 The Mongolian sky is stunning once UB is left behind.  

 This is a Mongolian saddle that is being sold in the Black Market.  Looks comfy?

These are ger hangings to decorate the interior of a ger.

This last week in September brought the first significant snowfall.  We woke Tuesday morning to find the ground and surrounding mountains with an entire new look.  SNOW!  The white was distilled with the colors of the golden grass that continued to show through the 3-4" we received.  Even though the snow has arrived the brutal cold that all the veterans seem to talk about with a smirk on their faces hasn't.  Can't wait!!!  The green plastic grass continues to be laid on the blacktop which excites all of the soccer (footballers) players.  They're hoping the job is done before frostbite season sets it.  I've got a feeling that the local herders will be lining their herds up outside our fence with all the green stuff.  The injury list from last week's overnight camping trip still includes Pam.  Due to lingering swelling in her leg it was time to head to the health clinic.  After a few show and tell moments and the doctor wanting some hands-on time to see just how high Pam can levitate it was decided that she needed to take it easy this weekend and keep her leg up as much as possible.  That seems to be doing the trick but Pam still wanted some Ben Gay type stuff.  So, the language lesson moved to the pharmacy.  After 30 minutes, and being handed most pain pills that existed in the pharmacy, acting out sore muscles and rubbing them with something, showing the clerk the Mongolian/English dictionary and pointing at the word ointment, and having a passerby who spoke some English help out, I emerged victorious (I think) with an ointment that hopefully will do the trick.  When I say I'll be back in a minute there is a whole new meaning here.  The YAC's, my after school activity group, headed into the local mountains again to climb the highest peak in the area and one of the 4 most sacred sights around UB.  The name of the place is Tsetsee Gun.  Our numbers have dwindled for various reasons but we left Sat. morning with 2 girls and 2 guys plus one faculty member and the English bloke, Dave and moi.  It was another glorious day that was questionable at first as we headed south into the brown fog of pollution that hung above one on the four power plants.  As we bounced our way to the trail head on paved roads our progress was slowed by a herd of sheep and goats that the driver wasn't going to slow down for.  I think he was looking at possible trail food.  Then a small herd of cattle ambled across the road looking for more dead grass to eat.  I wonder how these animals survive.  My amazement continued at how the dirt/gravel roads were smoother than the paved roads.  By the time one arrives at their destination it's like having participated in a zumba class.            The trail head was at the sight of a temple that the Soviets destroyed during their reign.  The trail to the top was very well marked in yellow blazes with the occasional ovoo, a sacred Shaman sight marked with a pile of rocks, like a cairn, or a tree drapped with sheets of materials mostly blue.  These represent prayers that were given while at the sight.  As we huffed and puffed our way to the top a group of Mongolians passed us with an obviously newly purchased dartboard.  We came upon the group a short while later.  They were in the process of hanging the board on a tree and tossing the darts.  We stood their entertained by these guys as they threw their darts at the board while friends walked in front of the board or stood by the tree.  The darts somehow managed not to hit any breathing soul but found their way to the tree, ground and from time to time the board.  At one point I thought an execution was about to take place as someone walked in front of the dartboard as 6 Mongolians armed with darts, aimed for the board and threw.  Somehow he emerged without looking like a porcupine.  After the entertaining moment we made our way to the summit to find a massive ovoo.  The sun was bright but the air was cold enough to make it difficult to unscrew the top from my water bottle.  As we lunched Mongolians who had made the trek stood by the ovoo and threw milk, vodka and water into the air and walked around the ovoo numerous times.  I need to research these rituals more to share an accurate account of why these things are done.  One of the reasons the YACs are doing these adventures is to receive a John Muir Award.  The kids were encouraged to do some trail cleanup on the way down.  So armed with large trash bags we started picking up trash.  Tossing garbage anywhere seems to be an acceptable practice.  We did, however, hear other Mongolians say as they headed to the summit that they were surprised to see expats and Mongolians picking up rubbish and that they should also do the same.  Maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference.  The school is preparing for accreditation teams to arrive next week.  This will be an evaluation by 3 accrediting agencies one of which is NEASC, another is the IB and the third slips my mind presently.  Having been through 3 of these back in the States I'm looking forward to doing a comparison.   Let me know if there is something specific that you'd like me to share or find out about.    Cheers to one and all.