Merry Christmas from Mongolia!

We just celebrated Christmas with our fellow Darkhan-ers! Semi-formal attire along with festive reindeer antlers! Christmas music played in the background! The evening was complete with chili, cornbread, cookies, and homemade eggnog! Ryan even read "The Polar Express!" Almost felt like we were in America...or at least till we walked outside later that night!

Not sure what to write about but we need an update...

So, I feel like it is about time for an update...though I'm not sure what to write about...

We had Thanksgiving in UB- It was awesome! Not the same as an American one of course- but the fact that I had a turkey leg and a mountain of mashed potatoes on my plate made me feel pretty special- I made a goal that morning of doing a thousand push-ups before we ate- so that all that turkey protein would turn into muscle- I didn't reach my goal- 1000 is a lot you know...I didn't know...and it shows I guess...but I did 350 before I ran out of time...All with just one arm...that's a lie...the part about the one arm.

We went rollerskating after the big feast- My lovely wife seemed like she had rockets strapped to her skates- she was extremely fast and I had trouble keeping up...(well not really) but she made me tired-

Hmm...what else? I lost another coworker- he found a new job with USAID...so now I'm down to one...but let's not really talk about this much more- trying to stay positive you see...and thinking about this doesn't necessarily help that effort.

Oh yes, steph and I have planned our trip through S.E. Asia-China, Cambodia, and Thailand...It is something we are really looking forward to- It will be a great adventure...We will try and post as many pictures on the blog as we can...we leave in about 3 weeks...

Besides that, what else is new- bought an airsoft gun, borrowed a vacuum from a friend to do our biannual dirt management, workout occasionally with p90x, eat eggs regularly, we finished the first season of Glee, we had "English Night" last night which only two mongolians showed up to, the road is slippery outside from the snow fall in the last few days, people have started storing their meat on the porch (like a big freezer), the wild dogs are consolidating and some guys with lasso sticks are trying to catch them around town, we have a new place where you can buy cream donuts...I like these donuts, ok done. Stephanie is sleeping and I should too because my eyes are dry and heavy...

Next time I will write about the fly that landed in my soda that I didn't order and the shortcut through a gas station that isn't faster but most people take because they think it is...hmm.


- Ryan

Mohawk

Steph caught me sewing a new pillow case with my new hair style... Susy Homemaker meets Punk Rock! Awesome!

Orphanage Halloween Party

We celebrated our second Halloween with Sun Child Orphanage! Dividing 40+ children into four teams, they were responsible for creating a team name, cheer, and short dance. They then competed in various games such as Bobbing for Apples, Musical Chairs, and Toliet Paper Mummies! Here were the four little mummies that showed up that day... :)

Birthday Girl

So, we went on a hike to the top of mountain for a picnic to celebrate Steph's Birthday. It was a sunny day, windy and cold. When we reached the top we found a cow head. It must have been a sacrifice or something to the sky god. Kinda crazy- but a new experience for me- I mean honestly how often do you see a cow head- not a skull- but a full furry one without the attachment of the body?

Halloween Party

A carrot and a bunny get dressed up like steph and ryan for halloween. Or wait a second...

80's Party

We had a going away party for a friend from Germany this last month- we brought the 1980's back as best we could with the resources we had- It was a success!

We had a puppy-

Hello Everyone-We have not updated this blog in sometime... so we will try and make some posts today...We had a puppy for about a month. Her name was Mikr...but we discovered having a puppy on the fourth floor apartment in Mongolia was not the best idea, so we gave her away. She was fun while it lasted (well mostly fun:))

Finished!!

FINISHED! And still alive to post this blog! :) Whew! Gobi Marathon...check! Now where in the world will we travel to next...

Here's my #1 CHEERLEADER...hanging out on the sand dunes!

And the real reason...

Disclosed here is the real reason why we traveled 14-hours on a short bus, over unpaved roads to the Gobi Desert...I ran the GOBI MARATHON! 26.2 miles across the most desolate place I've ever been! Sounds like fun, right?!

This was the closest thing we found to a dinosaur...

The Flaming Cliffs!

Behind us stand the Flaming Cliffs, otherwise known as Bayanzag. Named by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, this area is most famous for yielding the first discovery of dinosaur eggs. Ryan searched long and hard...but none were to be found! :)

Look out Gobi! Here we come!

WE FINALLY DID IT! We conquered the Gobi! After a 14-hour drive...on a short bus, over unpaved roads...we arrived in Dalanzadgad, the main city in the South Gobi Province. This is Ryan just PRIOR to that 14-hour bus ride! Although I don't remember him looking so 'upbeat' AFTER the long trip!

Darkhan Beauty Queens

With the extra time we have in Mongolia, we decided to make Darkhan sashes! They were originally intended for the new volunteers...but we (Maggie, Claire, and Stephanie) modeled them instead!

Puppies!

The orphanage dog, named Johnny, just had puppies! Any takers?!

H2O SOLO

Two things about this picture- it proves the ability I have to shoot a water balloon off the balcony without assistants! The other- jean shorts are still functional even if not in style.

Our next tour...

At first, it looks like an ordinary tour sign on the streets of Ulaan Baatar...but wait, is it? Ordinary tours usually take place in the vast emptiness of the mongolian frontier, drinking milk tea and riding camels...but this one is different- shooting an RPG- What?! Nice!

sleeping in a ger

No Hair

yes it is true.

World Cup Excitement Goes Sour

Yes! The World Cup is here! Watching the games has brought excitement to many of us in Darkhan. So much, that we started using the living room for a little soccer field. I made a couple goals, my opponent made a couple(a friend living in our city)-the game was really close. In the second half, I took a crack at a shot from afar and bammm....GOAL....and then...BROKEN WINDOW! Game over. Stephanie Ref came in and called the game at that point. She declared "No more soccer in the apartment except for watching" -now I have to find out where to get a new window.

Jack Ryan

So, in recent news, a man visited us for about a week named Jack Ryan. He was a world traveler of some sort, and took it upon himself to take a trip through Darkhan-Uul. He visited monastery ruins, went to caves, visited the ancient battle grounds of Chinggis Khaan. His trip was great! He went 700 kilometers for 5 days in the countryside...drove through rivers and met with Mongolians and Kazakhs- saw golden eagles, and every other animal Mongolia has to offer. And he looks just like me.

Ryan serenades Darkhan with $20 guitar...

Today's 'English' lesson...making fire?!?

Hitting up the 'hat shop' at the market...

Playing on the monkey bars...I love my job!

Just Hangin' Out!

About a week ago...we had a real photographer following us around Darkhan. He's been traveling across the globe, photographing -- Volunteers. Eventually, he'll compile his photos into a photo book documentary for -- 50th Anniversary. He took some good ones, so we though we post a few...

Here's a glimpse into our life in Mongolia...

fun and gardening

So, I haven't made a post in a while- here we go...

Went Kiteboarding today...It was awesome! Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon- It seems hauling that gear back from America was worth it. We started a garden last week- lettuce, peppers, chives, spinach, basil, cilantro, and lavender...pretty excited about having fresh vegetables picked from inside our apartment- We have been watching movies, doing a little reading, and hanging out- we got a hand-me-down BBQ last week- and are cookin' up some chicken tonight! yum yum!

Also I practiced paragliding again yesterday and I can't wait to jump off a big mountain (it has been little practice hills so far). Hmm, what else is in the news...it is hot now, but still windy. I will let steph share some more with her upcoming post...

My Country 'Tis of Thee!

AMERICA is truly AMAZING! Don't take it fore granted. The landscape is beautiful, the food is delicious, the transportation is reliable, and the people speak ENGLISH...what more could you ask for?! We enjoyed our vacation to say the least! :) Good times with family and friends while roasting marshmallows over the fire, browsing through Costco (that store is HUGE...by the way), running Bloomsday, playing tennis, and retrieving remote-control airplanes lodged 100-feet up in a tree. Thanks to all who made it possible!

Once again adjusting to life in Mongolia...wild taxi drivers, livestock roaming the city, and mutton dishes served all around!

America

America is great- the cars stop for you here!

crazy taxi, paragliding, like Israelis

So I have got three things- and unfortunately no pictures yet-

Last weekend I was on my way back from the capital city, I decided to take the taxi because I missed the bus. We drove for a while, took a different turn than normal and ended up in a ger district. He stopped at a xashaa (a fence around a ger) and left all 5 of us in the car. We sat there for 15 minutes then he returned. Just so you know this is a pretty normal procedure in Mongolia- a taxi driver might stop in the middle of nowhere to visit a friend for a half hour- you just have to wait. After the driver came back, I thought "finally we are on our way." We drove for about 5 minutes on a dirt road back towards the "highway"...but right before we got there the driver pulled to a stop. I looked ahead and saw a giant ice pond (melted with ice on the outsides). You see, normally we had to go through a tunnel under the train tracks to get to the main road- but this time it was full of water from the snow melt. My first thought was "ahh man, looks like we've got to go back the other way." But then, all of a sudden, the driver floored it and we plopped right down in the pond (I call it a pond, because it was big enough to have a small whale living in it:))I couldn't believe what the driver did- We started driving through the water- the water was coming over the hood and the engine was steaming! Next thing I noticed was water was coming in through the door- I couldn't help but chuckle at this point, even though the driver had his "serious face" on...I pulled my legs up- and was in fetal position. luckily the water reached only the bottom of my seat. We started going through the tunnel, and then...clunk clunk...clunk clunk...the car came to a halt. At this moment I thought "great I'm going to be stuck in the middle of ice water in a one-way tunnel- and I might die" (just kidding... but seriously) A few minutes later to my surprise the car started back up again... and we were on our way like Titanic through the deep...water was still coming over the hood...and we came out of the tunnel... but then, the driver had to figure out how to get out of the puddle- because there was about a 1-2 foot drop from the ice edge to the water level... He saw the lowest point and went for it...next thing you know we are high-centered half way into the ocean and half-way on the land- We are like a beached whale! ha- the door was opened and everyone jumped for land... we made it- it was the same feeling I bet the immigrants used to have when they made it to Lady Liberty! Anyways...to finish the story- car came over, towed us out, we used a bucket to empty the car, rode the next 3 hours with a wet floor- my feet were cold and my socks were wet- When I asked the driver why he drove into the puddle he said that the baby in the car was like a god. I repeat, his reason for entering the puddle was due to a baby in the front passenger seat. -Gotta love shamanism- In America two things would be different- baby wouldn't be in the front seat and the reason to NOT drive into the ice pond might be that there IS a baby on board...well why would you drive into an ice pond anyways... well got a kick out of the story...hope you did too.

The other two things...I will make it real short since I already wrote a good page.
-Apparently, according to my co-worker, Mongolians have the same IQ as Israelis. Yep, that's what he said. Don't really know what to do with that.
-I went paragliding last weekend. It was awesome.

Multitasking

Oh yeah, here is the picture of my multitasking experience- Nothing like peanut butter and jelly in the shower.

Soldier's Day

So we haven't been the best about updating our blog the last couple of weeks- so here is a little review...About two weeks ago there was a national holiday called soldier's day. Also mongolians call it Men's Day. There was a little performance in front of the theater- they did a really cool martial arts display, marching, etc...

The weekend came and we headed to U.B.- we partied like rockstars-

Then Steph was gone all last week at a conference- aimed at helping mongolians teach kids about AIDS- I got sick and didn't go to work for a few days...I think I almost died without her being around...:)

The snow is melting and the windy season has started. The good thing about the snow was that it covered up a lot of garbage and kept the dust down. Now- not so much. Last week I also discovered a new way to save time...eating breakfast while showering...

This week should be interesting. There will be some demonstrations in major cities across the country where people will be demanding more money and parliament to dissolve...should make for a good show. That's about all for now...

Frozen Faces!!

It's FINALLY starting to warm up over here! Hard to believe after wearing long underwear for over four months straight! But our faces are proof that we just survived one of the coldest winters in Mongolia! Check out this link by BBC News...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8509143.stm Some fellow volunteers will tell you all about it!

Dropping a Bomb

This will be a quick post- I was talking with my co-workers today about different ways to say "I'm going to the bathroom." After I told them the expression "dropping a bomb"- they have been saying it in mongolian and laughing. I asked them what were ways to express you are going to the bathroom in Mongolia and there are two new sayings to our western ears... one is "I'm going to go build a house" and the other is "I'm going to go look at the horses." The "houses" saying makes sense, especially in the cold months where construction is much faster...The "horses" saying makes sense in the countryside- if you turn away from the ger you always seem to see horses somewhere...:)

New Aprons?!

I'm posting this picture mostly because I like it. I don't really have much to say about it...other than the fact that our faces speak for themselves! And I find it somewhat ironic that I've never owned an apron before...but secretly (or not secretly) have always wanted one. For Tsaagan Sar...we received not just one, but two aprons! There's been quite a few 'firsts' here in Mongolia. Our first television, our first espresso maker, our first aprons...we might not be coming back if this keeps up! Just kidding. We miss America (i.e. family and friends) like crazy, and we're looking forward to our trip home in April!

Tsaagan Sar Food

Here is a picture of some of the food!

White Month

We are just finishing up one of the biggest holidays in Mongolia- Tsagaan Sar (White Month/New Year). An interesting holiday- if it was compared to an American one, you might mix Halloween and Thanksgiving...You end up going to many different houses (we went to 6 so far)and repeat a number of traditional acts. You start off with a traditional greeting- hello (resting well) and then ask if they are having a happy Tsagaan Sar. You do this greeting while doing a funky two armed handshake...where the older person will give you kisses on your cheeks or get a nice sniff of your scent. Then you might get offered some snuff- take a sniff and give it back. (If you sneeze that means the snuff is the good stuff)There are usually three shots of vodka offered at every house and toasts with each shot...these shots can add up- and if you stay a while at the house, you could end up doing 3 more shots with the arrival of the next guests...(this can add up- but if you are under the age of thirty you can sometimes deny the shots by saying you are too young- vodka is for older people that need it :)) At every house you are offered Buuz. They are like steamed meat dumplings. You are always offered milk tea and sometimes juice or a different homemade alcohol. The more you can eat at each house the better your life will be- (or something along those lines...)At the end of your stay you usually are offered two or more presents...(you can also be given a present upon arrival- like a small crisp bill) You say thank you and goodbye, and on to the next house or home for a nap...There are some other traditional rituals- but the ones I mentioned are some of the main ones that usually occur at every house...

Our visits: One host spilled three shots of vodka on his lap- I imagine it burned a little...that's strong stuff...we were given presents at every house- this has been difficult for us because most of the people we visit do not have much money- we wore traditional clothing to most places we went- I have an awesome traditional hat that says skateboarding is life on a part of it (I guess it was the only material that could be found to make it) At our first house visit, Steph stood up and her traditional skirt dropped to the floor (the button was broken)she didn't even realize it had fallen until I started laughing- good thing she had tights on! Oh yeah, on the top of each table in most houses is a big cooked sheeps butt. yum yum.

Stress

I think I am aging a little faster in Mongolia...I don't know, maybe the cold winter, maybe stress in general...but the fact is I have gray hair spurting out everywhere...well not everywhere...but there is a good chance that by the time I get back to America, I could look like Santa Claus. That being said- check it out for yourself.

Problem Solved???

Whatever happen to our clogged pipe? The plumber arrived the next day and managed to unclog our pipe. Problem solved...or so we thought. We eventually discovered (an hour later when our downstairs neighbor came yelling up the stairs) that the infamous clog had only migrated downward one floor. Our neighbor was yelling because she had arrived home to discover that her sink was overflowing and flooding their floor...oops! Next time we'll have to import some good ol' Draino!

Sludge in the Pipes

So last night at 3:30 AM my alarm went off- I stumbled out of bed, eyes still blurry, and made my way over to the kitchen. I took a glance at the sink, couldn't see much, hmm- turned on the light and sure enough the sink was almost full, I had timed it perfectly..got to it just in time before the overflow...You see in the last 24 hours, we have had a clog. It seems that there had been a collection, a buildup, a stockpile of waste that had headed down the drain of despair and collected in our pipes. Yesterday, about 2PM, the buildup was complete...now the funny thing about living in an old Russian Apartment (or maybe just some ghetto apartments) is that the pipes for the drains all run together. (Luckily we were on the fourth floor- I can only imagine what would have happened if we were on floor one...) So I noticed the clog, in fact there was a pipe leak that caught my attention...and then I noticed the water wasn't going down the drain anymore... I called my co-worker, and he sent over the security guard. The security guard tied a plastic bag over the leaking pipe- good to go- and then unscrewed one of the pipes under the sink and sure enough an explosion of black sludge water shot out- alright- now at this point you would think that the pipes were unclogged, especially after seeing how much junk came out- but after he screwed the pipes back together, he turned on the water and it still seemed jammed- at this point he went back to work and came back about an hour later...now we will save the rest of the story for tomorrow- because it gets better, and I am not sure how it will turn out...:)

Transportation

So, Mark wanted to know all about transportation in Mongolia...I thought- yes this would be a great quick topic...We often take the bus from Darkhan to U.B. for about 6,000 Togrogs, like $3. In town we usually walk...though our town is split into two main districts, Old Darkhan and New Darkhan- usually when we go to old district we take a taxi or a meeker. A taxi constitutes almost all cars on the road in Darkhan. If a driver sees you standing next to the road, they almost always automatically stop. A meeker is like a van that does these big loops around the whole city- you can take a meeker to anywhere in Darkhan for 250 Togrogs or a taxi for 350 Togrogs. They yell at everyone near the road, "YAWKHOO, YAWKHOO" (will you go? will you go?)I just ignore them, shake my head, or say no...most people ignore them if they aren't going...kinda funny. Seats don't seem to matter that much (unless you take a bus or train- and even then...) if you have space load 'em up.- It isn't at all unusual to see people riding horses in town or pulling a cart with a horse- they usually come from the surrounding Ger Districts (like suburbs- but a lot more tents!). Hmm, I would write more but gotta go. ( I will add a picture as soon as a find a good one...)-R

Our New Friend!

I have got 15 minutes until work- just enough time to share about our newest addition to the apartment, Mr. Krups. We found him abandoned this weekend at the office in UB as we headed that way to receive some shots- I received three shots, but for some reason I got four pokes- nice...Anyways we have successfully made caramel lattes...awesome! Our weekend in UB was pretty fun. We ate at a few really pretty nice restaurants, including one that served 1 liter beers... We also met with the daughter of Steph's director- we went to her home and had a great time with her family. Well, I should go soon- work starts in a minute or so...

Thought I would throw out a quick new update- We are headed to the capital this weekend for our H1N1 shot...should be a good time. We will be playing broom ball against the embassy staff on Saturday- they will be demolished. I watched the beginning of Avatar this morning with my director-good way to start the work week. I took a bath yesterday and did 75 push-ups today. It is still cold. We have exactly 103 days until we take a vacation to America, but who's counting... and we have been in Mongolia for exactly 7 months. Stephanie steals the covers on the bed during the night- and I am pretty sure I have a mild case of frostbite on my back...Tonight I will try using a sleeping bag- see how that works out. Now I should go to bed- I already brushed, so all I have to do is collapse into the beautiful abyss. But, before I go, I wanted to leave you with this...A picture of dinner:)

Some of My Children...

Ryan says it's my turn. Not that I don't want to contribute to the blog...but I really think he's found his new and latest talent...blog writing. Note: Remind Ryan to add to resume.
Here's a picture of some of my children. As of late August, I adopted roughly 40 Mongolian orphans! Haven't met too many 25-year-olds who can speak for that many! The children are wonderful! And for those long, dreary days when I find myself asking, "What are you doing with your life, Stephanie?!" Well...they constantly remind me. :)

Only Two

Wow, so I sent out some emails telling people to check out the blog. I then I realized that there were only two blogs so far- and that just isn't cool at all. So, I thought I would throw in one more while we are waiting for Steph to add something...

We are buying Steph a new coat today at 3:00. We are not messing around, it will be an authentic sheep, killed, colored and dried- and thrown on her back...I do not doubt that it will see red paint in the states...but that will be another time... By the way, we will be back for three weeks on April 25th...

Also here is a picture of us at the New Years Party at the Sun Child Orphanage- It was a lot of fun. -Ryan

Three Suns

Wow, so it is Friday. Time flew by. A really cool thing happened today...There appeared from the late morning mist three bright lights! It looked like three suns at first I thought the world was coming to an end...but it was really just one, with a cool reflection through the clouds. It could be seen through our whole city...check out this picture!

Ryan's First Post

Sunday evening- it's cold. Really not sure what to write about in the first blog...Today I saw three cows sharing a garbage pile, they were chowing down like it was their last meal- and who knows, it could have been. That reminds me, we bought some horse meat today and are thinking about making some steaks tomorrow. I started Mongolian Language Classes last week and will now be going every Monday and Wednesday for an hour- should be a good time. Learned how to Belly Dance last night- I repeat, I learned how to Belly Dance last night...it's certainly an ab workout, and I discovered all the ways I can't move my hips... Tomorrow, back to work after a three day weekend. I love three day weekends but they never seem long enough. That seems sufficient for my first blog, ok done.