Dear Friends,

My day-to-day mission to teach English with Peace Corps in Mongolia is having the usual ups and downs. But I’d like to mention a unique opportunity to affect the life of a hardworking and extraordinary high school student, with the understanding that I need your help.

Nyamtaivan is an exceptional 16-year-old student who has been ( Read more... )

The crux of the trip was getting to Terelj National Park and cross-country skiing. And seeing some camels. Of course, I didn’t know how to find a camel, but I’d been carrying the skis for days. First we used them on a short trip to the enormous metal Chinggis Khan on horseback sitting at the site where the great Khan discovered a golden whip and ( Read more... )

I had to fly early on Sunday. The previous night I had stopped by coworkers for fried dumplings. I went home with a heavy stomach and tried not to think. Ended up at the airport early enough to greet the airline workers as they arrived. First my plane arrived from Ulaanbaatar to drop off visitors, then it took six of us west to Gobi-Altay. Five ( Read more... )

As Mr. Timpson used to say, at least the Communists believe in creating new holidays for workers. Due to its political past, or possibly just a love of awards ceremonies, Mongolia has celebrations for many of its workers. This week there was Teacher's Day ( Read more... )

And now for something complete different

http://cuteoverload.com/2010/01/26/your-thought-for-today-2/

thank you.

The traditional garment of Mongolia is the deel. A deel is a long, thick robe tied off at the waist by a sash. It fastens with button loops that go around clever, round knots of black cord at the neck and armpit. They can be made of all sorts of material, and a well-dressed Mongolian will have different weights for different seasons, some everyday ( Read more... )

W: This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush--- oh, hello. Do you want your brush ( Read more... )

Dear Home ( Read more... )

Now, before we get started, remember that I am lucky. I may well have some of the best housing of all the volunteers. My apartment is toasty, I have plenty of space, my bed has a decent mattress. I haven't even opened my oven yet, and between my 3-burner stove and running water, I'm living the good life. Even the view is pretty nice, though I think ( Read more... )

A day in Mongolia sometimes starts with a run. If you stand on the hill to the west of town next to the stuppa, you can see the whole town spread out around you. Rows of houses and yurt/ger/tents curl around the hill and spread out to the north. Two- and three-story buildings line the road running north through town. My walk to work in the morning ( Read more... )