HaLlOwEeN!

 The time is upon us. Halloween. A time where we can get dressed up and be somebody completely different. I got back to Tsetserleg Tuesday and spent the rest of the week working with Brittany and Togohtoo to get a Halloween party together at my school.  We were told that 430 students from our school could possibly be in attendance, so we mistakenly did not focus on inviting the other schools. We indicated that we wanted this to be the students Halloween party and they would need to make the decorations. Communication barriers led us to believe this would be done in individual English classes so we were happy as clams that we wouldn't have to get a ton of materials together for the exuberant amount of children that would be in attendance. Then, Friday came. As Brittany and I were discussing our plans for the Halloween party games, two teenagers came into my office and indicated that they were ready to decorate with us. That very morning I had decided to bring paint and recyclables so, for the moment we at least had materials to make bats, spiders and webs.  Since there was also a teacher's party that night, we could not hang up the decorations but did give them the option of coming in the following day so the children could finish and so they could help the other classes with their decorations. We were in at 11 the following morning. In typical Mongolian fashion, the children did not show up until around 2. While a lot of kids did not show up to decorate or even attend the party (400...NO...bish) the 30 kids that decorated and 20 kids that did show up to the party had a great time decorating, playing the games we had set up for them, as well as choosing and dancing to music. For my first project, and for being thrown together so quickly, I think of it as a HUGE success, and cannot wait to create more memories with the children in my aimag!

ChIlDrEn Of ThE CoRn!

After a long day at work, Brittany and I decided to have dinner at my Ger with her very female puppy (females are not a common choice for Mongolians). En-route, we met a very cute 8ish year old child. What we thought was an innocent compassionate moment for a girl soon became “children of the corn”-esque. At some point along the way, I had asked this girl numerous times where she lived and, each time, she indicated that she lived in my general direction. Approximately 20 minutes into our walk, a plethora of children, (approximately 20) started walking in the direction of my Ger. For a moment I was concerned I would be entertaining these children in my Ger and a huge sigh of relief washed over me when we waved goodbye, and they all left. After utilizing the bathroom,  I walked out to the same cute 8ish year old child staring at me like she was the girl from Carry. Nasha (go in) I pointed to my Ger, At the precise moment (timed perfectly) my English speaking sister made an appearance. I told informed her about the stalker child, and she came into my Ger to find out where she was from and what she was doing. “It’s my DOG, I have no home, and I have no parents” were what she said as she clung to Brittany’s dog.  Chocking the poor pup, It became clear quite quickly that the childs death grab would no subside until we allowed her to leave with the dog. It also became quickly clear that this child was not telling the truth about the dog because she did not want us to go meet her dad (who had supposedly give her the dog). Approximately 45 minutes later of attempting to (use the mother’s voice) on her, she finally left only after we had clarified that this  was a female dog and her dad had given her a male dog, and after promising we would obtain a new dog for her and have it ready in my office the following day. The child did not show up, I assume she  figured out I worked at her school and was terrified to make another appearance.

            Later, after Will came over and we started to cook, I had another visitor that came into my Ger with my sister. She was demanding money for the food that had been dropped off. I attempted to explain that I in fact, had no money on me and was not going to go to the ATM in the middle of the night (it was about 9:30) to get it. I also explained that while I could give her some of the money, the Peace Corps only gives you a limited amount for wood and I would need to talk to them to see when the rest of the money would be distributed. She did not like this answer and after 15-20 minutes of me saying I do not have the money, and answering her questions about my finances, she finally left.

It was a crazy night full of unexpected Mongolian visits and I can't wait to see what the next drop in brings.

WaDe In ThE WaTeR!

Today was the second consecutive day of rain. I mean thunderstorms with torrential downpours. Regardless of the rain, I decided to go out in the obstacles and brave the storm so to speak. I also decided that at this point in the game buying an umbrella was completely OUT of the question. Currently, It’s about 20 degrees in Mongolia; consequently that is my mind set when it comes to purchasing things I could use here but won’t use for the next 6 months in my homeland.  I also believe in mind over matter, and about 20 minutes into my escapades, the rain ceased.  On my outing, it also became immediately evident that in fact, the rain was perhaps the least of my worries. The streets were completely flooded.  The water at times coming practically up to my knees (at my 5’2 stature, that doesn’t take much).  Water was pouring out from ever crevasse from the street, and (this is attractive) from the sewage system.  

Also, and this is particularly my favorite parts, varmints started to appear from EVERYWHERE, hiding wherever they thought they may not be seen.  However, their little rat features (mainly their tails) hanging out of every hole made them quite visible. Some rats didn’t even bother to hide. It felt slightly intimidating to see how nonchalant they were about being out and about among us humans.  Also readily available (which venders were probably extremely happy about) were cockroaches. Having had a taste of one of these not so delicious specimens, it was less disturbing to see one or two out and about but quite disturbing to see a plethora of them making the Bangkok streets their homes.  After seeing these creatures, and many more bugs than just cockroaches, I decided that wading in the water was not so fun anymore and I could perhaps contract some sort of virus or skin disease (let’s face it the water must be filled with parasites). I consequently immediately sanitized my feet the moment I got back to the hotel room. Amazingly, by the time I arrived back at the hotel the water had begun to recede a noticeable amount. I was really only gone for an hour and a half if that says anything!  It was an interesting shopping experience, and I loved every strange moment of it.   

My GeR

Ok, so I have had requests to show pictures of my Ger and site from various people. Since I don't have a lot that I am doing at the current moment..pinky PT being what it is, without further ado.....my humble abode: