Some of the MRCS team needed to prepare a review of a program sponsored by the Australian Red Cross, including Bold and Zoloo, Dashdeleg (Head of Programme Department/Organizational Development manager), Nyamdorj and Sarantulga (HIV program), Zaya (accountant) and one other lady. In order to get down to business, and have all the necessary people to get together in the office, it is nearly impossible. So they picked a day and went out to a tourist camp in the Bogdh Khan mountains for some fresh air and hard work. And I of course tagged along. I really had no real reason to go with, other than I wanted to leave the city for the day. So I packed up my things to “do work” and headed out to the countryside. The drive to the camp was beautiful. UB is surrounded on all four sides by mountain ranges. This camp is to the south of the city right in a valley. It’s a bit odd too. It is made up of several concrete gers with bathrooms attached. And then there is a giant ‘ger’ in the center which acts as the restaurant and office. I am not quite sure why you would come to such a place. You aren’t camping, but you are not in a hotel either. And there is zero to do, you can’t really even go hiking. Which is maybe what some people like, but not my cup of tea. Lovely for a day though.
Stupid sunburn I got. My need for accessorizing does not fit well with my easily sunburned skin. FAIL. I also have a sweet farmers tan, capri tan, and sandals tan. It would not be summer if I did not have some sort of idiotic tan lines.
In the morning, I sat outside on a bench and read the rest of the Mongolia Assessment Report on Climate Change. Very boring, but essential. But mostly I just soaked up the sunshine and fresh air and listened to my iPod and took pictures. Lunch started with my new favorite Mongolian meal, noodle soup. It is beef soup with homemade noodles. Delish! And then we had lamb, beets, rice, and mixed vegetables. Bold called it mutton and said I should it eat it to make me strong. After lunch I worked a little bit on the Program for Climate Change (PfCC) document I have to finish before I leave. It is a bit difficult to do since I am not that familiar with the inner workings of the MRCS. So I am going to do what I can, and then sit down with Bold and Zoloo to fill in the blanks. Then I mostly just screwed around on my computer. But no internet… fail. As I am getting very sleepy (sleep schedule still not perfect), I find out we are not leaving until 11 PM! AHHHH! FYI that is past my bedtime. Apparently this was somewhat part of the plan, I was just left out of the information loop. I think we were supposed to get picked up around 7 or so, but they didn’t think they would be done by then. The driver has to pick up some people from the airport at 10, so we got pushed back to 11.
But success, Zaya’s boyfriend, Baatar and 2 friends picked her up around 7:30 and I asked for a ride back. They agreed, but they were going to watch the sunset first. Why yes I will come watch the sunset in the mountains with all of you! It was soooo beautiful and very fun to hang out with them. Zaya and Baatar spoke English pretty well, and the other two could understand mostly. But they were very funny, making lots of jokes and asking me lots of questions. I really hope I get to hang out with them again. It was a glorious day!
No comments:
Post a Comment