World Blood Donor Day

I have managed to learn a few Mongolian phrases. None incredibly helpful, but I have to start somewhere.

za-it doesn't exactly mean anything but roughly to say ok, so, well, or um.
sain bai na uu- hello
tiim-yes

June 14th is World Blood Donor Day, so today the MRCS had a celebration. There was a small parade that started at the office and went to the National Academic Drama Theatre. They had a stage set up and were honoring volunteers, donors, and dignitaries. It was a nice event, maybe 200 people or so from all districts of UB. A girl did some Mongolian traditional dance and a few kids put on a skit. The Mongolian silver medalist in boxing was there too. But the best part....OUTLAW. They are a Mongolian boy band. And apparently pretty popular too. It was amusing to say the least.




After that Zolja took me to the State Department Store to get more credits for my phone and then we went to lunch at Veranda, this amazing Italian place. It was nice to just chat with her for awhile. She is so awesome and helpful. She is not only excited about me working at the Red Cross, but she is planning things for me to do in UB with her and other MRCS people.

Then we went to the temple museum of Choijin Lama. It so random right smack in the middle of UB, but beautiful. Walking through looking at the masks and art and statues were amazing, but the Buddhists have some weird stuff. They had a great shop there too. I am definitely going back there. She had some really great paintings and jewelery. Also the Secret Temple houses the statue of Sitasamvara, which is supposed to carry special magic for couples to make their relationship last and single women to find a good man. That statue makes it very popular to visitors.



After Zolja dropped me off at the hotel (which was a bit weird driving with her because the steering wheel is on the right side) I went to the supermarket for some snacks. When I got back I realized that someone from the hotel staff took the little two burner stove top out of my kitchen. I am not exactly sure when this happened. It was sometime between Friday night and today. So I am either going to try to communicate with them, or just have Zolja call them. Now I am just watching a little tv. I get a few channels in English, BBC, National Geographic, 2 MTV type stations, and a movie channel. But I often find myself watching the hilarious commercials and shows in Mongolian and Chinese. I feel like I'm on Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, watching Dancing Guy on public access TV. So bad, yet I can't stop watching.