THE DOG IS EATING MY GER! This was the sentence I managed in Mongolianwhen I called my Khasha mom this morning as I heard ripping of felt. The dog next door (he's super cute and gentle but clearly very cold) was attempting to eat his way through my Ger either to see me, eat my breakfast or get warm. He broke through the fence (as he has done before) and managed to pull whatever his leash was attached to enough to get to my Ger. It was humerus yet unsettling for the simple fact that if he managed to get through all three layers I would be left with holes in my Ger that will practically invite the cold in. Soon after I managed this call, my Khasha dad had the dogs family take care of him. He is now on the other side of the Khasha next door; which also works out well because his enormous bark won't wake me up at 2am anymore!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Shin Jil- a TaD LaTe BuT LatE Is BeTteR tHaN NeVeR!!!
Me, Togohotoo, and Minjeon (the Koika volunteer)
Shin jilt is Christmas and new years wrapped into one! At my school they had a huge party the Friday before new years. I of course with 5 other teachers were in charge of the entertainment. Luckily I really only had to focus on creating a dance for my counterparts, as well as myself and two songs. I had a GREAT time! Although, I found myself changing out of one costume into another and having to wait around for whatever game was being played. There was one interesting game where people had to put various body parts together (starting by standing elbow to elbow). By the end people looked like they were kissing but weren't really. People were slowly cut from the competition until there were only two people left. It was a fine time! After we finished our entertainment, everyone was given prizes (I got a nice package of canned rasberry's, juice and candy) and then we took an amazing amount of pictures. The night ended with a dance party. It was a great deal of fun, and very much a huge party!!
The stage all fancy!
Setting off fireworks (in front of school)
Everyone Dressed to impress!
My Khasha mom, a teacher and Dashka my supervisor (from left to right)
They always hand my babies! Luckily they're cute!
ThE IcE FeStiVaL!
Doggie (my Khasha Sister) "Will you be going to the river with your school on Saturday?"
In my mind: are you crazy? It's -15 out!...what I really ask is for how long...her response is from 10-6pm...which elicited this reactions from me: "No, it's cold out...Don't you get COLD? And this reaction: "When it's winter I hibernate...like a bear".
Going back to my Ger I couldn't help wonder why my school would be going to the river to "hang out". Since Marc was coming as well, I absolutely did not want to commit myself to something like that. When Friday came, I called Brittany to chat and told her about the night before. She informed me that Saturday was the ice festival. That made a lot more sense and I was of course stoked to participate and had been looking forward to it! On saturday we slowly made our way out the door and took a taxi to the river. There were numerous ice sculptures to look at, and hockey, curling, a rope pull, bebe gun shooting and various other activities were going on. I participated in the rope pull, and curling. The American (and one un-named Brit) had their own team. We won our first rope pull and lost our last one. Soon after, we discovered that we had in fact cheated because Brittany's counterpart jumped in to help! Who knows how we would have done without him! While each time I threw the disk (I was even allowed an fourth try) I fell on my bum, I somehow managed on my third try to win three points. I don't know what place my school came in for the event but I was grateful I was allowed to participate and happy that I ended up going. Sometime around 5 the ice started melting rather quickly, and we all decided it was time to leave. The fog coming off the ice reminded Brittany and I of that horrible movie "the fog". If you don't know: check this out
While people started moving there cars I noticed that there was in a fact car that was quickly being engulfed by the melting ice and wonder if it made it out!
After we left, two of my school teachers invited me to come to their house after the festivities. We had (you guessed it) Buuz and vodka. I attempted to make a cocktail with the watered down juice and vodka but it was not even half as great as the magical mixtures I made behind the bar when I was bartending. The day ended around 6pm for me with a hot fire, coffee and game night. It was a fantastic day, and I am so glad that I didn't miss it because of a "lost in translation" moment!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Tsaagan Tsar (White Moon)
It's that magical time of year in Mongolia where they celebrate their traditional new year. You eat a TON of Buuz (sounds like boats) which is meat encased in flour and boiled, Borzik (it's a bread), other types of breads I don't know the names of and various cheese products like arro (a hard cheese like food) and vodka...so much vodka you won't want to look at it ever again. Friday night, my third Khasha sister came in from UB. I went over about 9pm and excused myself at 10 so that I could get a good nights rest required to visit 8 families in one day. I woke up at 7 determined to be ready at said time (8) and managed to actually be ready at 8:30 and still waited in my Khasha families house till around 9 when we left. I was told the first house we would visit would be the eldest of the family. We got to the Ger (which was a four wall) smaller than mine and I stepped inside to see people squished in every crevice and space. I counted over 30 people. After saying "Amar baino" a customary greeting for the new year, to everyone around the Ger I squeezed in myself. Sue ta tea (milk tea) was served and then came the buuz and vodka, meat and arrow. I received a small gift of chocolate and a small amount of money with all the other children and young adults. 45 minutes we were out the door and on our way to the next house. The same food and drink was served at each place with variations of salads and pickle meat plates. When we got to my house (again the order goes oldest to youngest) I still had three houses to go. Brittany came to participate and I opened up my Ger to the family. The first one in said something about cleaning my carpet (which was a tad mortifying) however, only being able to sweep the carpet doesn't allow for a thorough clean so I somewhat agree. After visiting (with Brittany) the last couple of houses my khasha dad decided to come in and start my fire. The night ended with a game a chess and Brittany and I absolutely exhausted from all the food and drink. It was a fantastic day!
On Sunday, my supervisor Dashka wanted me to visit her around 4. I did not know where she lived but my family indicated she would be visiting me up around 3 (it was 3:30 when I found this out). Panicked I called Brittany to get Vodka and I cleaned like a maniac. When Brittany got there we went to my families house to wait. More vodka, more buuz. Around 5:30 we decided to go to my Ger and watch a movie and around 6 we made some spaghetti because we were starved. 10 minutes later we heard a knock on the door and were told to hurry up and our ride was there. When we got outside Daskha was not there but a car was so we got in. We were wondering if this white jeep would in fact take us to the right place but since we were already in, there was really nothing we could do but sit back and enjoy the ride. 5 minutes later we pulled up to a concrete Ger with an entryway. We walked in and were greeted by Daskha (thank god). Immediately we were in awe of the unique structure. It looked similar to a Ger but it was concrete, there were windows, a nice kitchen area, two huge couches, one queen sized bed, a flat screen, rugs, pictures hung on the wall and the windows at the top of the Ger. It was also complete with a woodstove. The Ger/house also did not have running water. It was a typical Ger with a new school feel. At some point into our visit, with pev (beer), vodka, wine, juice and tons of food, someone brought out the scissors and a hair cutting ceremony ensued for the 2 year old. It was great! She took the money (it's customary to give some) given to her and slid it in her deel. It was as if she knew exactly what was going on. It was a really neat experience!
It should also be noted that for the entire month of February Tsaagan Tsar continues. On weekends families and friends visit eachother and the celebration continues!
Cousins or Uncles? Not really sure...
On Sunday, my supervisor Dashka wanted me to visit her around 4. I did not know where she lived but my family indicated she would be visiting me up around 3 (it was 3:30 when I found this out). Panicked I called Brittany to get Vodka and I cleaned like a maniac. When Brittany got there we went to my families house to wait. More vodka, more buuz. Around 5:30 we decided to go to my Ger and watch a movie and around 6 we made some spaghetti because we were starved. 10 minutes later we heard a knock on the door and were told to hurry up and our ride was there. When we got outside Daskha was not there but a car was so we got in. We were wondering if this white jeep would in fact take us to the right place but since we were already in, there was really nothing we could do but sit back and enjoy the ride. 5 minutes later we pulled up to a concrete Ger with an entryway. We walked in and were greeted by Daskha (thank god). Immediately we were in awe of the unique structure. It looked similar to a Ger but it was concrete, there were windows, a nice kitchen area, two huge couches, one queen sized bed, a flat screen, rugs, pictures hung on the wall and the windows at the top of the Ger. It was also complete with a woodstove. The Ger/house also did not have running water. It was a typical Ger with a new school feel. At some point into our visit, with pev (beer), vodka, wine, juice and tons of food, someone brought out the scissors and a hair cutting ceremony ensued for the 2 year old. It was great! She took the money (it's customary to give some) given to her and slid it in her deel. It was as if she knew exactly what was going on. It was a really neat experience!
It should also be noted that for the entire month of February Tsaagan Tsar continues. On weekends families and friends visit eachother and the celebration continues!
морь бас нохой бас явган аялал oo яанаа! (More, bas Nahoy, bas yavgan aylal ooo yanna!)
I should have known the moment the man ask me if I had even ridden and then stated "good" when I said I said yes, that i was in for the ride of my life. They say they choose horses based on your personality. If that is the case, I am impatient, quick, temperamental, and thick headed. This horse wanted to be first in line to go anywhere. It was always running to the front of the pack and looking to race anyone at a-ny-time. If my gloves hadn't made it so hard to hold onto the reigns and my hood hadn't been falling in my face (it was WAY too cold to take it off) i would have been having the time of my life. As it sat, I was squeezing that beast in between my legs so hard when I got off I could barely walk. It was however, well worth it and I cannot wait to fear for my life again!
Where's Jenn?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)