I have been reading the comments and many people are wanting more photos. The Mongolian 4-H organization has been posting daily pictures on their website. The address is: http://bayanmongol.com/. I know the text is in Mongolian but you can click on the heading of each day to see the photos. They also have a link to their Facebook page. I have to disclose the majority of the pictures are from the first week of our time in Mongolia and of the participants staying in Ulaanbaatar.
We are on the last day of our host family stays. Tomorrow morning we will all gather once again in Ulaanbaatar to travel to the Ger camp. Our Mongolian hosts were able to secure enough tickets for all the participants to see the opening ceremonies of Naadam. I have been told over and over again that tickets inside the stadium are very difficult to get and we were able to get 80 for our entire group. What a feat!
Warren
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Mongolia has come to mean
Mongolia is a land of strong, unique traditions:
In the past week, I have tasted mare's milk, uruk (mare's milk vodka), marmot, cow's tongue, sheep's head, orom (a delicious butter), and gallons of milk tea. I have slept in a ger, ridden horses bareback across the open plains, and milked a very, very patient cow. I have paid my respects to the Mother tree (a sacred tree), avoided placing my hat on the ground, and been reminded not to whistle in the house.
Mongolia also shares a surprising amount of common ground with America:
Immediately after eating marmot, I had some chocolate fondue and a delicious ice cream sundae. My host brother, Muunuu, loves the song "Friday" and plays it all the time - his phone is filled with popular American songs. Ask him about Forest Gump and you will get an enthusiastic response! And of course, after I finished drinking my milk tea in a ger deep in the Mongolian countryside, I realized that I was using a Looney Tunes cup! It seemed that in a way, I was not so far from home.
And what is the result?
A land of blue skies, throat singers, old disco tunes and the latest hits, pizza, hot-stone barbecues, nice computers like the one I am using, open plains, I <3 NY T-shirts, and excellent fondue. A land which is colorful, diverse, and beautiful. There you have it - MONGOLIA!
I have had an amazing trip full of memorable moments and unforgettable adventures. Through immersing myself in both sides of Mongolia, I have come to realize that its old and new parts are inextricably linked, creating a land far more fascinating and complex than I could have imagined.
Sam Greydanus
In the past week, I have tasted mare's milk, uruk (mare's milk vodka), marmot, cow's tongue, sheep's head, orom (a delicious butter), and gallons of milk tea. I have slept in a ger, ridden horses bareback across the open plains, and milked a very, very patient cow. I have paid my respects to the Mother tree (a sacred tree), avoided placing my hat on the ground, and been reminded not to whistle in the house.
Mongolia also shares a surprising amount of common ground with America:
Immediately after eating marmot, I had some chocolate fondue and a delicious ice cream sundae. My host brother, Muunuu, loves the song "Friday" and plays it all the time - his phone is filled with popular American songs. Ask him about Forest Gump and you will get an enthusiastic response! And of course, after I finished drinking my milk tea in a ger deep in the Mongolian countryside, I realized that I was using a Looney Tunes cup! It seemed that in a way, I was not so far from home.
And what is the result?
A land of blue skies, throat singers, old disco tunes and the latest hits, pizza, hot-stone barbecues, nice computers like the one I am using, open plains, I <3 NY T-shirts, and excellent fondue. A land which is colorful, diverse, and beautiful. There you have it - MONGOLIA!
I have had an amazing trip full of memorable moments and unforgettable adventures. Through immersing myself in both sides of Mongolia, I have come to realize that its old and new parts are inextricably linked, creating a land far more fascinating and complex than I could have imagined.
Sam Greydanus
Monday, July 4, 2011
Memories of a 4th of July in Selenge, Mongolia
Roasting hotdogs over fire near Selenge River
Swimming, volleyball, hotdogs, marshmallows, singing. Our 4th of July Celebtration was a blast! Some Peace Corps vollunteers and Mongolian friends completed our party.
The weather cooperated and there was no rain! A night to remember of an American Independence Day in Mongolia.
-Selenge Crew
Friday, July 1, 2011
Photos from My Time In Mongolia
I just thought that a few photos would add a nice touch to this wonderful blog. Enjoy! :)
A nice welcome at the airport.
A traditional Mongolian dance, music, and contortion performance.
The Corvallis crew bus riding through UB!
Traditional Mongolian horhog while camping at a hot springs.
Tsetserleg, Arkhangai
The Arkhangai group and some friends.
A nice welcome at the airport.
A traditional Mongolian dance, music, and contortion performance.
The Corvallis crew bus riding through UB!
Traditional Mongolian horhog while camping at a hot springs.
Tsetserleg, Arkhangai
The Arkhangai group and some friends.
A Culture Shock
My stay in Mongolia these past two weeks has been nothing short of spectacular. I have accomplished so much in a relatively brief time: visiting historical museums, sampling the local cuisine (apparently around since 1206), learning the language, participating in an archery competition, heading to the countryside, and helping children at an orphanage. These activities all greatly surpassed my expectations heading into the trip.
During these activities, however, I expected there to be a significant culture shock. Traveling across the world from the United States to Mongolia, one would expect to be in unfamiliar territory. Yet, the primary culture shock I have experienced is in fact not a culture shock at all. I continue to be surprised and amazed at how truly similar my host brother and I as well as Mongolians and Americans tend to be.
During my host family stay in UB, I have become familiar with my host brother Eddy's personality and lifestyle. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that we enjoy similar songs and musical artists, we go to the same locations to seek entertainment (i.e. movie theaters, amusement parks, swimming pools), we both play sports, we both have dreams and aspirations, etc. On multiple occasions, I have even begun to consider Eddy to be more of a "American" than me simply by the way he conducts himself and his knowledge of pop culture.
I suppose if I could summarize my exchange up to this moment with one generalization, it would most definitely be to express my new found perspective on the world. I have come to appreciate the small nuances that make individuals so unique, yet I have also begun to realize that teenagers are teenagers regardless of where they live.
~Michael Boggess
During these activities, however, I expected there to be a significant culture shock. Traveling across the world from the United States to Mongolia, one would expect to be in unfamiliar territory. Yet, the primary culture shock I have experienced is in fact not a culture shock at all. I continue to be surprised and amazed at how truly similar my host brother and I as well as Mongolians and Americans tend to be.
During my host family stay in UB, I have become familiar with my host brother Eddy's personality and lifestyle. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that we enjoy similar songs and musical artists, we go to the same locations to seek entertainment (i.e. movie theaters, amusement parks, swimming pools), we both play sports, we both have dreams and aspirations, etc. On multiple occasions, I have even begun to consider Eddy to be more of a "American" than me simply by the way he conducts himself and his knowledge of pop culture.
I suppose if I could summarize my exchange up to this moment with one generalization, it would most definitely be to express my new found perspective on the world. I have come to appreciate the small nuances that make individuals so unique, yet I have also begun to realize that teenagers are teenagers regardless of where they live.
~Michael Boggess
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