This is the view from my apartment this morning!
Crazy huh? And it’s only September!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sahn bahn uu?
How are you? It has been so long since I have written. I’m so sorry! I finally got a computer so it seems so much easier to talk to everyone and it really makes me feel more connected! Plus I can watch American tv shows online! I love it!
So, I’m currently teaching 6 classes of English a week at Otgontenger University. I have 3 English 1 classes and 3 English 2 classes. I feel like the students are very smart and they know a lot, but sometimes there accent is hard to understand and I feel bad when I can’t understand what they are saying. I’m actually a mentor for two 4th year students who will be English teachers next year. They are teaching all of my classes for the next 6 weeks. It is cool helping them and giving them advice (people here actually think I can teach! Ha!). The students all say hi to me in the hallways and in the cafeteria. It is nice. But if you thought learning 120 students names in America was hard, try Mongolia! I feel like I will never learn. I’m almost to the point of taking pictures of them, but I feel like they will think I’m a tad creepy.
My apartment is very nice, but hot! I know it will cool down soon and it already has a little. I really have everything I need – refrigerator, stove, washing machine, tv, desk, shower,etc. The only weird thing is that I don’t have a sink in the kitchen so I have to wash my dishes in the shower. Is that sanitary? I guess so, I’m getting used to it.
The weather is getting cooler. All of the leaves are falling and it really feels like fall. You can tell the wind now is crisp and not just hot air. It snowed the other day, but I was in class and missed it. I’m excited for the cold weather though. Oh! I live on the 5th floor of my school so I don’t even have to go outside unless I need something. It will be good when it is super cold, but it is always nice to get out. A short walk would have been good, but I really can’t complain.
This past weekend, I went to the hoodo (countryside) with my school. All of the teachers went and we stayed at a ger camp. I had the best time! We got there and immediately opened all of this candy and food and started drinking. I was proud of myself because I drank everything they gave me and didn’t get drunk or sick (vodka, beer, cherry wine, saki, and whiskey). Can you believe it? For dinner, we have horhuck which was goat that they cut up and put in a huge metal can with hot rocks, potatoes, and carrots. They just serve it on a big platter and the only silverware you have is a knife. We were lucky enough to get the head on our plate:
No, I didn’t eat it. I ate a rib and some meat my counterpart gave me. But here is the after:
Ha! I thought it was so funny! Everyone took the bones and other parts home and that is what they ate for breakfast. It was mostly fat. My one counterpart told me, “Mindy, I am eating a fat sandwich!” and it was a fat sandwich – about an inch thick piece of fat in between two pieces of bread. There were also competitions like tug-of-war, double dutch, and a relay race. I only tried the double dutch and I got out miserably. I’ve never been able to do it. My department did win the tug-of-war though! One the way back, we stopped at the Chinggis Khan (not pronunced Gengis – like I had originally thought) monument. It is supposedly the biggest monument in the world. They just built it was couple years ago and it also has a giant Mongolian boot in the building below. You have to pay to go in and there is also a restaurant up there.
If you like the boot, send me some money! I totally know where to buy you a pair.
The other weekend,I went to Terelj park which has a lot of ger camps, a river, and some great hiking. I went with Swiss neighbor Julia. My favorite thing was Turtle Rock. It is huge and you guys know that turtles are my favorite animals.
They also have one part that has fake dinosaurs. Very random!
I finally had Indian food – it took me going to Mongolian to eat it – but it is amazing!
I think that is it for now. It is so hard to think of things when I am writing these. I will have to start taking notes! Love you guys and can’t wait to hear from you! I am off next summer if anyone wants to visit or plan a trip! Just let me know!
~Mindy
Friday, August 13, 2010
Training is finished!
Sorry I haven’t written in so long. I have been super busy! The last time I wrote was right after Fourth of July, I think. The next week, we went to Zuunmod for Mid-center days. It was fun! We had a dodge ball tournament and a dance. It was a nice break from studying. After that I went to a small Nadaam with my family. We got to see wrestling and the horse races. It was funny because there was a small sheep that kept running into the race lane! I thought it was going to die! We actually found a hosher tent with beef hosher. Some people ate horse, but I didn’t want to. I actually tried it the other week and it tasted like pot roast and I really just didn’t want to eat a horse! We couldn’t find the outhouse so I had to pee outside. My friend Joyce and I would try to go over this hill and pee back to back so no one would see our butts! Little did we know that when we finished, a guy on a horse was about 10 feet away from us! Embarrassing!
After that I went to Ulaanbaatar (UB) to stay with my mom’s mom. They took me around to some sights one of which we climbed to the top of this Russian monument and you could see the whole city. We also went to Sukhbatar Square (sp?). We saw it in the daytime and then we went back at night. That night, there was a concert going on. It was a lot of fun. I really liked being in the city. Oh, so before we left for UB, they told me to be ready by 8. So I get ready, walk out of my ger and into the house and what do I see? My family is skinning a sheep in the entryway! I sat for 2 hours while they cleaned the guts out. My mom would pour water in the intestines and then just put it in her mouth and blow! Shit was flying everywhere! Then as we were leaving (with a small bucket of intestines in our car with 7 people) they bring another goat from the side of the house. They tried to stuff it in a bag and it would fit so they shoved the live goat in the trunk! The drive to UB is about an hour and every bump we hit, the goat was screaming bloody murder! My mom kept saying that they goat was yelling my name! Thankfully that night they made me chicken and I didn’t have to eat intestines!
After that, we started practice teaching. We were put in groups of 4 and we had to teach for an hour and a half. We had to team-teach in groups of 2 and switch our partners every time. My group had the mid-level which was 12-14 year olds. They were so cute! I really enjoyed teaching them but it was hard not being able to fall back on English when they didn’t understand something because I definitely did not know the word in Mongolian.
Yesterday, we took the LPI (Language Proficiency Interview) in Mongolia. We are supposed to get a Novice-High level rating. I’m not sure how my interview went. She asked me super hard questions like “What does beautiful mean to you?” and “How do you get to the post office?” I’m worried. If you don’t pass, you have to get a tutor and re-take it in December. A lot of people don’t pass, but I just don’t want to have an LPI hanging over my head. We find out tomorrow if we passed! Wish me luck!
Tomorrow we got to Zuunmod again for some sessions and then around 3 or 4:00 we find out where our permanent sites are! I am dying to find out! I really want to be placed in UB, but who knows. When I asked to be put there, they said there wasn’t a teacher trainer spot there, but they were looking into it for me. They said a lot of people don’t want to go there, so they don’t just put people there. I feel like I would do much better in a city (or the only city) than I would be in the countryside (hoodo). I asked for an apartment too. I know...I am a total diva! But apartments have running water, a radiator (even if it doesn’t always work) and I don’t have to chop wood or pick up poo. Apparently, when we find out they place us on this giant map of Mongolia!
I made tacos for my family with some Mexican food Shannon sent me. My family didn’t really like them. Oh well! I loved them! My friends Alyssa and Paul helped me and it took us about 3 hours! We had to make the tortillas from scratch, then cook the meat, then the beans, and then we made french fries from scratch. With only one pot! I think they were worth it.
Cassie’s mom sent her Taco Bell kits in the mail with some dried black beans so made that for the Americans and our teacher, Moogii, the other night. Of course the day we decide to do it, the electricity is out. They said it would be out from 10-6 but it didn’t come on at 6! We had to run around town looking for portable gas grills. Then Moogii couldn’t get the gas can in correctly, so I turned it on and just gas was coming out but it wasn’t lighting. I turned the can and tried again and flames went everywhere! I thought I burned off my eyebrows! It was fine after that and the food was so delicious! We were all eating with our headlamps on! What a sight! Right when we finished and said, “I’m so full, I think I’m going to barf!” the electricity came on! Go figure!
Peace Corps also gave us money to do a family appreciation day. We decided to do a horhuck (which is cooking a whole goat). They put it in a huge milk can with potatoes and carrots. They also blowtorch the skin and eat that. We also made garlic bread (which the Mongolians hate), salad, and french fries. One of the guys in our group said he was going to kill the goat because his dad bought it for us. When the dad called him out to kill it, he just handed him a hammer to knock the goat out! The guy was like, “ I can’t do this!” I couldn’t have either. Are you surprised?
I think I am getting a Mongolian deel. My mom is giving me her old one and they went to UB to get it taken in. She is a lot bigger than me. I’m supposed to get it today. She also told me she was going to cook me chicken pizza for my last day so we’ll see if that happens! I really hope so! I am so tired of mutton!
We are also learning Mongolian dances. There are five girls in my dance group, one girl is doing a solo, and 3 guys are in another group. We had to audition in order to perform at our swearing-in ceremony. We did so well for the audition but then we had to perform for our families and we did terribly! We didn't practice for a few days and we all forgot things. Especially me! So don't judge me! I am uploading the videos on facebook so enjoy!
I just can’t believe that training is over! The first month went by so slow and then the last month and a half went by so fast! I’m so ready to be on my own. I am really ready to cook for my self. And also to just get started with my job and to start making friends! Well, I’m signing off for now.... the next time you hear from me, I will be a real volunteer! Can you believe it?
I will send you guys my new address as soon as I can. If you have sent me something or were planning on it, Peace Corps will forward it to me for the first month so don’t worry!
I am also uploading pics facebook and snapfish.
Love you guys and miss you so so so so much!
Mindy
After that I went to Ulaanbaatar (UB) to stay with my mom’s mom. They took me around to some sights one of which we climbed to the top of this Russian monument and you could see the whole city. We also went to Sukhbatar Square (sp?). We saw it in the daytime and then we went back at night. That night, there was a concert going on. It was a lot of fun. I really liked being in the city. Oh, so before we left for UB, they told me to be ready by 8. So I get ready, walk out of my ger and into the house and what do I see? My family is skinning a sheep in the entryway! I sat for 2 hours while they cleaned the guts out. My mom would pour water in the intestines and then just put it in her mouth and blow! Shit was flying everywhere! Then as we were leaving (with a small bucket of intestines in our car with 7 people) they bring another goat from the side of the house. They tried to stuff it in a bag and it would fit so they shoved the live goat in the trunk! The drive to UB is about an hour and every bump we hit, the goat was screaming bloody murder! My mom kept saying that they goat was yelling my name! Thankfully that night they made me chicken and I didn’t have to eat intestines!
After that, we started practice teaching. We were put in groups of 4 and we had to teach for an hour and a half. We had to team-teach in groups of 2 and switch our partners every time. My group had the mid-level which was 12-14 year olds. They were so cute! I really enjoyed teaching them but it was hard not being able to fall back on English when they didn’t understand something because I definitely did not know the word in Mongolian.
Yesterday, we took the LPI (Language Proficiency Interview) in Mongolia. We are supposed to get a Novice-High level rating. I’m not sure how my interview went. She asked me super hard questions like “What does beautiful mean to you?” and “How do you get to the post office?” I’m worried. If you don’t pass, you have to get a tutor and re-take it in December. A lot of people don’t pass, but I just don’t want to have an LPI hanging over my head. We find out tomorrow if we passed! Wish me luck!
Tomorrow we got to Zuunmod again for some sessions and then around 3 or 4:00 we find out where our permanent sites are! I am dying to find out! I really want to be placed in UB, but who knows. When I asked to be put there, they said there wasn’t a teacher trainer spot there, but they were looking into it for me. They said a lot of people don’t want to go there, so they don’t just put people there. I feel like I would do much better in a city (or the only city) than I would be in the countryside (hoodo). I asked for an apartment too. I know...I am a total diva! But apartments have running water, a radiator (even if it doesn’t always work) and I don’t have to chop wood or pick up poo. Apparently, when we find out they place us on this giant map of Mongolia!
I made tacos for my family with some Mexican food Shannon sent me. My family didn’t really like them. Oh well! I loved them! My friends Alyssa and Paul helped me and it took us about 3 hours! We had to make the tortillas from scratch, then cook the meat, then the beans, and then we made french fries from scratch. With only one pot! I think they were worth it.
Cassie’s mom sent her Taco Bell kits in the mail with some dried black beans so made that for the Americans and our teacher, Moogii, the other night. Of course the day we decide to do it, the electricity is out. They said it would be out from 10-6 but it didn’t come on at 6! We had to run around town looking for portable gas grills. Then Moogii couldn’t get the gas can in correctly, so I turned it on and just gas was coming out but it wasn’t lighting. I turned the can and tried again and flames went everywhere! I thought I burned off my eyebrows! It was fine after that and the food was so delicious! We were all eating with our headlamps on! What a sight! Right when we finished and said, “I’m so full, I think I’m going to barf!” the electricity came on! Go figure!
Peace Corps also gave us money to do a family appreciation day. We decided to do a horhuck (which is cooking a whole goat). They put it in a huge milk can with potatoes and carrots. They also blowtorch the skin and eat that. We also made garlic bread (which the Mongolians hate), salad, and french fries. One of the guys in our group said he was going to kill the goat because his dad bought it for us. When the dad called him out to kill it, he just handed him a hammer to knock the goat out! The guy was like, “ I can’t do this!” I couldn’t have either. Are you surprised?
I think I am getting a Mongolian deel. My mom is giving me her old one and they went to UB to get it taken in. She is a lot bigger than me. I’m supposed to get it today. She also told me she was going to cook me chicken pizza for my last day so we’ll see if that happens! I really hope so! I am so tired of mutton!
We are also learning Mongolian dances. There are five girls in my dance group, one girl is doing a solo, and 3 guys are in another group. We had to audition in order to perform at our swearing-in ceremony. We did so well for the audition but then we had to perform for our families and we did terribly! We didn't practice for a few days and we all forgot things. Especially me! So don't judge me! I am uploading the videos on facebook so enjoy!
I just can’t believe that training is over! The first month went by so slow and then the last month and a half went by so fast! I’m so ready to be on my own. I am really ready to cook for my self. And also to just get started with my job and to start making friends! Well, I’m signing off for now.... the next time you hear from me, I will be a real volunteer! Can you believe it?
I will send you guys my new address as soon as I can. If you have sent me something or were planning on it, Peace Corps will forward it to me for the first month so don’t worry!
I am also uploading pics facebook and snapfish.
Love you guys and miss you so so so so much!
Mindy
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Meat and Clothes
I hand washed my clothes last week and let me tell you... it is a chore! I got two blisters on my fingers. I will never take a washing machine and dryer for granted again! And believe it or not - I still cleaned them faster than my sister does laundry! (Just kidding Brandy!)
I also tried the dried meat. I do not like jerky in the states, except for slim jim. My mom came home eating it and I told her I didn't like it. She said she loved it! I was eating my dinner and she brought me another plate of pasta. I asked if the dried meat was in it and she said no. I took a bite and almost started to throw up. I just sat there with my hand over my mouth and my mom was laughing (bc the meat was in there). They were like, "It's ok, It's ok.) I thought I was going to puke!
My pics: There are some of a cultural thing we had during training with the horse violin and dancers. The older man is the u.s. ambassador for Mongolia. The oboos are religious things that you have to walk around 3 times and throw three rocks on. The red building is the hospital where my mom works. There are other pics of our town. It was made by the Soviets so it is very plain. Some of the buildings have nothing in them but trash. We went out to the Soviet Air Force base and took pics. There are also pics of my ger, my outhouse, the dog and our house - compare it to the size of the houses in the U.S. - it's crazy! There are also pics of the yak getting killed and skinned. The pics that look like a big city are another site where we went to get our shots. I felt like I was in NYC! There are also a lot of landscape pics because I think they are pretty. I also milked a cow for the first time. It was weird feeling and I don't really want to do it again. My older sister usually milks them. I posted a pic that shows all the bugs on my ger and my sister's friends that sleep on our floor. The house is really small. Our town is really small but yesterday we found a salon and my friend Cassie got her haircut. We also found a hoosher restaurant (it is like a Mongolian empanada). My beer I bought last night - Old Czech - it was warm but not too bad. I would really like it if it was cold. There is another pics of us playing cards last night in Alyssa's ger.
Hope you enjoy! Here is the link: http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2225482021/a=151443402_151443402/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Love you and miss you,
M
I also tried the dried meat. I do not like jerky in the states, except for slim jim. My mom came home eating it and I told her I didn't like it. She said she loved it! I was eating my dinner and she brought me another plate of pasta. I asked if the dried meat was in it and she said no. I took a bite and almost started to throw up. I just sat there with my hand over my mouth and my mom was laughing (bc the meat was in there). They were like, "It's ok, It's ok.) I thought I was going to puke!
My pics: There are some of a cultural thing we had during training with the horse violin and dancers. The older man is the u.s. ambassador for Mongolia. The oboos are religious things that you have to walk around 3 times and throw three rocks on. The red building is the hospital where my mom works. There are other pics of our town. It was made by the Soviets so it is very plain. Some of the buildings have nothing in them but trash. We went out to the Soviet Air Force base and took pics. There are also pics of my ger, my outhouse, the dog and our house - compare it to the size of the houses in the U.S. - it's crazy! There are also pics of the yak getting killed and skinned. The pics that look like a big city are another site where we went to get our shots. I felt like I was in NYC! There are also a lot of landscape pics because I think they are pretty. I also milked a cow for the first time. It was weird feeling and I don't really want to do it again. My older sister usually milks them. I posted a pic that shows all the bugs on my ger and my sister's friends that sleep on our floor. The house is really small. Our town is really small but yesterday we found a salon and my friend Cassie got her haircut. We also found a hoosher restaurant (it is like a Mongolian empanada). My beer I bought last night - Old Czech - it was warm but not too bad. I would really like it if it was cold. There is another pics of us playing cards last night in Alyssa's ger.
Hope you enjoy! Here is the link: http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2225482021/a=151443402_151443402/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Love you and miss you,
M
Friday, June 25, 2010
26.6.10
First off, I would like to say that it is soooo hot right now in Mongolia! I thought it was supposed to be cold here! Hahahaha. Things are going well. We still have language classes in the morning and we started teaching in the afternoons twice a week so it is fun. The kids are excited to learn English. It has only been about a month and it is funny how close our group has gotten. We have no problem telling each other how often we have or haven't gone to the bathroom, about the foods we have eaten and the funny stories about our families. (I am regular by the way in case anyone was wondering.)
A couple people in our group have gotten sick - vomiting and diarrhea. I have not thankfully. It only lasts about 2-3 days. I'm praying that I don't get it.
We saw the shaman the other day. It Alyssa's sister who is only15. Apparently, she was sick for two years. She couldn't even go to school and would pass out on a regular basis. They finally tried to go to a shaman and they said she was sick because the spirit was trying to get into her body. He has been training her. She has only been doing it for 9 days. You have to train and then do the rituals for 39 days. After that, he can tell us about our spirits and our families. So we get in there and she blindfolds herself, puts on a mask with fake eyes on it, and string coming down. She starts beating on a drum to envoke the spirit and turns in circles. When she stops, she is moaning like an old man and can barely stand. She sits down. It is her great great great great grandfather (maybe add some more greats) from the 1500s. He smokes and drinks vodka and milk tea and talks to us. Our teacher was there to translate and told him we were interested in him. He called me up to him to tell him what I knew about Shamans so I told him about The Horse Boy book. He then took my head and started rubbing it and smelling me( which I know didn't smell good). And then he did that to everyone else. He said he had never seen foreigners before and that the guys were really hairy like yaks! Hahahaha. We also have a really tall guy in our group and he says to him, 'You are so tall...how are you going to get married?" I was cracking up. After that, he left and then 10 minutes later his spirit was sitting on the candle flames and he wanted to come back. He said we could come listen to him anytime. I can't wait to go back after 39 days to hear what he says about me. It was a crazy experience!
There are tons of bugs in my ger. It is open at the top so they come in whenever. Another girl in our group has a ger infested with spiders. She counts them everyday and has killed about 120 in the past two days. I would die! The gnats are bad enough!
I think that is all for now. Miss you guys and hope to hear from you soon! Haven't received any packages yet, but I'm so excited! I'm also going to try and post pics.
Love you and miss you!
M
A couple people in our group have gotten sick - vomiting and diarrhea. I have not thankfully. It only lasts about 2-3 days. I'm praying that I don't get it.
We saw the shaman the other day. It Alyssa's sister who is only15. Apparently, she was sick for two years. She couldn't even go to school and would pass out on a regular basis. They finally tried to go to a shaman and they said she was sick because the spirit was trying to get into her body. He has been training her. She has only been doing it for 9 days. You have to train and then do the rituals for 39 days. After that, he can tell us about our spirits and our families. So we get in there and she blindfolds herself, puts on a mask with fake eyes on it, and string coming down. She starts beating on a drum to envoke the spirit and turns in circles. When she stops, she is moaning like an old man and can barely stand. She sits down. It is her great great great great grandfather (maybe add some more greats) from the 1500s. He smokes and drinks vodka and milk tea and talks to us. Our teacher was there to translate and told him we were interested in him. He called me up to him to tell him what I knew about Shamans so I told him about The Horse Boy book. He then took my head and started rubbing it and smelling me( which I know didn't smell good). And then he did that to everyone else. He said he had never seen foreigners before and that the guys were really hairy like yaks! Hahahaha. We also have a really tall guy in our group and he says to him, 'You are so tall...how are you going to get married?" I was cracking up. After that, he left and then 10 minutes later his spirit was sitting on the candle flames and he wanted to come back. He said we could come listen to him anytime. I can't wait to go back after 39 days to hear what he says about me. It was a crazy experience!
There are tons of bugs in my ger. It is open at the top so they come in whenever. Another girl in our group has a ger infested with spiders. She counts them everyday and has killed about 120 in the past two days. I would die! The gnats are bad enough!
I think that is all for now. Miss you guys and hope to hear from you soon! Haven't received any packages yet, but I'm so excited! I'm also going to try and post pics.
Love you and miss you!
M
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Training Site
I am located in a very small town outside of UB. I have a small ger and my family owns 5 cows. It is weird sleeping with cows mooing all the time but I am getting used to it. I guess I'm kind of lucky because my family built me a new outhouse which I have finally figured out how to not pee on myself (get low...hahaha). The food is ok but I have told them that I don't like a lot of meat so they have given me chicken a couple of times. Ger living is ok but ger beetles drop in occasionally and I only get to bathe about every 3 days. Yes, we all smell when we are in a group!
We have class everyday and I don't feel like I am understanding it very well. But again, I have only been here a total of 2 weeks. I would love for you guys to write me a letter. I had to walk 3.3 miles to find wifi and I'm borrowing someone's computer. Then I will have your addresses to write back.
We saw a yak get killed the other day and then the family skinned it and cut it up. The skinning was the worse part for me. I could handle the guts (or gitz in Mongolia) but the skinning was disgusting! We saw the dad in town the next day with all of the meat in the back of his van selling it. We also got our second round of shots the other day...4 more. We have another round in 28 days. One weird thing is that I have not used a napkin since I got to my host family. They don't exist here! I just started wiping my hands on my legs since I figured they are dry anyways so what will a little grease hurt? I guess you learn to adapt. The one thing I will not do is pick up dung with my bare hands. The people here do that and then cook food or do other things. So if anyone could send me a pair or kitchen gloves. I told the PC doctor that there was a line and I'm not picking up poop with my bare hands. I wonder if I will still think that way in 2 years...hahahaha I miss you guys a lot. I feel like I have been here forever even though it has only been 2 weeks.
The family is nice. They gave me a Mongolia name - It sounds like "althga". I wish they would have given me one that I could pronounce better. The girls are really helpful. The come into my ger a lot and watch me put on make up or just stare at me. We have had a lot of awkward conversations. They speak to me like I understand them...which I guess is good because one day I will. Right? We play a lot of games - some russian game, cards, and I taught them duck, duck, goose. They give me a block to sit on since I can't get up and down as fast as them. Hahahaha. The only major problem has been these birds that are outside of my ger. They start crowing EVERY morning at 4:30 until 5:00 and it wakes me up. I start screaming, "Shut the ____ up!" I wonder if my family hears me? Oh well...they won't understand anyways.
I guess it is just so different because I feel isolated - no computer, no internet! It is very different but I am getting used to it. Please send me a letter so I can have your address or send it to my mom so she can put them in a package/letter for me. Her email is cibrmico@aol.com.(If you don't mind mom - also some stationary would be good and some envelopes). Have I been asking for too much? You don't have to send it me all of this stuff but it would be good! Hahaha
Thanks! Love you guys and miss you! I'm trying to post pics so check the link from the previous blog!
M
We have class everyday and I don't feel like I am understanding it very well. But again, I have only been here a total of 2 weeks. I would love for you guys to write me a letter. I had to walk 3.3 miles to find wifi and I'm borrowing someone's computer. Then I will have your addresses to write back.
We saw a yak get killed the other day and then the family skinned it and cut it up. The skinning was the worse part for me. I could handle the guts (or gitz in Mongolia) but the skinning was disgusting! We saw the dad in town the next day with all of the meat in the back of his van selling it. We also got our second round of shots the other day...4 more. We have another round in 28 days. One weird thing is that I have not used a napkin since I got to my host family. They don't exist here! I just started wiping my hands on my legs since I figured they are dry anyways so what will a little grease hurt? I guess you learn to adapt. The one thing I will not do is pick up dung with my bare hands. The people here do that and then cook food or do other things. So if anyone could send me a pair or kitchen gloves. I told the PC doctor that there was a line and I'm not picking up poop with my bare hands. I wonder if I will still think that way in 2 years...hahahaha I miss you guys a lot. I feel like I have been here forever even though it has only been 2 weeks.
The family is nice. They gave me a Mongolia name - It sounds like "althga". I wish they would have given me one that I could pronounce better. The girls are really helpful. The come into my ger a lot and watch me put on make up or just stare at me. We have had a lot of awkward conversations. They speak to me like I understand them...which I guess is good because one day I will. Right? We play a lot of games - some russian game, cards, and I taught them duck, duck, goose. They give me a block to sit on since I can't get up and down as fast as them. Hahahaha. The only major problem has been these birds that are outside of my ger. They start crowing EVERY morning at 4:30 until 5:00 and it wakes me up. I start screaming, "Shut the ____ up!" I wonder if my family hears me? Oh well...they won't understand anyways.
I guess it is just so different because I feel isolated - no computer, no internet! It is very different but I am getting used to it. Please send me a letter so I can have your address or send it to my mom so she can put them in a package/letter for me. Her email is cibrmico@aol.com.(If you don't mind mom - also some stationary would be good and some envelopes). Have I been asking for too much? You don't have to send it me all of this stuff but it would be good! Hahaha
Thanks! Love you guys and miss you! I'm trying to post pics so check the link from the previous blog!
M
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Food Experiences / Host Family
We had a cultural day at school today. One session, they made a makeshift ger and we learned about the customs and how to do things when you are inside one. There was one about surprises we might find - how they kill animals for food, how they treat dogs (not like pets), etc. Then there was one about hospitality and how to accept gifts, drinks, and candy from your family. Always with the right hand, palm up. The last session was on food. I tasted boiled mutton (not too bad), dried curds ( one tasted like the worst rank blue cheese I have ever tasted and the small ones kind of taste like parmesean cheese..good), mare's milk tea (tastes like liquid pasta), and fresh yogurt ( sour but would be good with jam). It was a very interesting day.
We also got our host family assignments. My is a mom who is 38, a hospital cook, and she has 4 daughters - 18, 15, 7, and 5 years old. They have a puppy, who I am hoping to convert into Bailey, 5 cows, and a potato garden. They like playing cards and watching tv. They live in a house but I will have my own ger next to them. I am pretty excited.
That is all for now. E-mail me updates! Can't wait to hear from all of you!
M
We also got our host family assignments. My is a mom who is 38, a hospital cook, and she has 4 daughters - 18, 15, 7, and 5 years old. They have a puppy, who I am hoping to convert into Bailey, 5 cows, and a potato garden. They like playing cards and watching tv. They live in a house but I will have my own ger next to them. I am pretty excited.
That is all for now. E-mail me updates! Can't wait to hear from all of you!
M
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