Back to school

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Day 3 of the new school year and things are mostly in place for the new year. Found these boxes in the hall downstairs this morning. Can you decode the English?

It's good to be back!

Read: white board

Après le deluge

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Thursday, August 12, 2010

August is the rainy season in Mongolia, and last night we had a tremendous lightening and thunder to accompany the rain. It doesn't take much rain to flood Ulaanbaatar's streets (poor drainage system I guess?), and this morning was no exception.

Walking through the city this morning the streets were filled with the sound of cars driving through water. Kind of like the cars fording a river...

Big huge dirty rooster tails everywhere--watch out!

Smultron

Arkhangai Province, Mongolia

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Our first day at the hot springs resort here in Arkhangai Province, and we have made a wonderful discovery: wild strawberries. A was very excited by the news, and we spent a good hour this afternoon combing the steep hillside for the tiny fruit. Many of the berries were barely red, but their taste was divine.

The Swedes don't called them "wild strawberries" but instead have given them a name of their own: smultron.

Faded glory

Kharkhorin, Mongolia

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

All that remains of the ancient glory of Kharkhorin is Erdene Zuu Monastery. We stopped and admired the place before setting out on the final rough stretch of road toward Tsetserleg.

Erdene Zuu dates from the late 1500's. My favorite part was the stupas which adorn the wall which surrounds the place. The grounds themselves are mostly empty due to the destruction of the Stalinist Era.

"Good luck for our trip"

West of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

We stopped on our way just past the camels to "bless" our trip. Proper ovoo etiquette requires that one circle the ovoo three times and place a rock on each go-around. Our friend and driver says that this will make "good luck for our trip."

Alternately, if one chooses not to stop at an ovoo, one can honk three times as one speeds past.

A inspects the ovoo

Hi ho, Silver

280? km west of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

After breakfast this morning, we stopped just west of the ger camp to give camel riding a try--and briefly explore the sand dunes. I've heard this area fancifully described as a "lost section" of the Gobi desert, although that doesn't quite make sense geographically.

Mom seemed to particularly enjoy the experience...

Headed west

268 km west of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Monday, August 2, 2010

We started our trip out west today toward Arkhangai province and divided the driving in half by spending the night at a ger camp at "mile post" 268. That's approximately five hours of driving down and five to go. So far, the roads are mostly paved but bouncy, bouncy nonetheless.

This place has beautiful rock formations, simple accomodations, and lots of lovely wide open sky.