I scanned.

We conquered.

Acting My Age

Last week I turned old. I know this because I attempted to play basketball yesterday and I could hardly walk afterwards. I am faring a little better today but my body is still terribly confused about what it went through yesterday. It's also possible this is the result of five months of virtual hibernation where the closest I got to moving my limbs was walking to the shops to buy a cabbage and a bag of biscuits each night. Battered body aside, I am not one for major birthday celebrations, but luckily, some amazing people were on hand this year to ensure that I had a lovely day without too much trauma.

My wonderful work colleagues bought me a beautiful dress, I had dinner with some super special friends, I got a crazy cat lady mug + some stunning plastic cherry blossoms, I crammed into a car with seven people and I did three hours of karaoke. Good friends of UB (and special guests from Berlin), I salute you + thank you for a wonderful birthday. Many arigatos also to everyone who called, texted or engaged in online communication to send wishes. It made growing up far more palatable.










P.S. I'm still finding sand in all my belongings so have been too busy using the washing machine to write about Gobi Trip #2. No need though really - the photos tell the best parts of the story (except for when we taught kids in Sainshand the Nutbush. That was kinda cool.)

BIUB

Me + Ria got back from an amazing whirlwind trip to the Gobi Desert this morning. More pics + stories about baby camels, Ria's foray into muttonville + getting our spirit on to come soon...

We Got Couch

Me + Ria are partying hard right now... on the couch. That's not tea we're drinking.

Yeah, it's kinda wild.

Last Drinks

Lozzie + Meg are currently holed up at Chinggis Khan airport waiting to fly to LA via Seoul while Ree and I recline on the couch watching Gossip Girl. We had last drinks before they scooted off though. Happy travels LK + MH xox

Day #8/9

Day confusion still ensues, but today, we dressed as Mongols then watched others dressed as Mongol deities dance. Pics of us as Mongols to grace this here weblog once I access a scanner. Until then, here's us with our new best Tsam friends from Tumen Ekh.

Day #7?

I have lost my ability to count. I think we're up to Day 7, but I probably missed another one in there somewhere. Ria and I went to see some metal bands on Saturday night and thanks to excessive Chinggis consumption, some severe memory malfunctioning may be in effect. I did have an epiphany that night though, thanks to the presence of some interesting characters at the gig, but more on that later...

Yesterday, Clare and I attempted to take all of our visitors to see Mongolian wrestling. We went to the Wrestling Palace excited by the prospect of large men wearing minimal clothing, but instead we were duped by some kind of TV magazine's 100th issue party. There was a hideous array of Mongolian pop on display (M-Pop - thanks Loz):


Some men 'playing' guitars (note the absence of any kind of connection to an amplification unit. No they were not plugged in...)



And these guys, who saved the afternoon:

We left early, so we didn't find out if we won the car they were offering as a prize in their raffle. We later discovered that the car was a used 90s Toyota Corrolla though, so we weren't overly fussed...

Day #6

Yes, I skipped Day #5. I forgot to take my memory card out of my computer + put it back in my camera before heading to the countryside. Genius. Hopefully someone else will guest post about our lovely days riding horses, staying in a ger and playing cards. Instead here's a photo of Lauren + Ria winning karaoke last night.

Day #4

After welcoming Ria to Mongolia with a bottle of Chinggis and some quality time on my windowsill until 4am, we put on Russian hats (in our minds) and visited the Zaisan memorial. We walked around an ovoo three times to invoke the shaman spirits to bring us luck... and vodka.

Ria + Meg then put on matching hats to cruise across Sukhbaatar Square en route to the radio station where we were excellent to each other and played music. Wyld.


Tomorrow we hit the countryside. Will Lauren remain a vegetarian? Tune in Friday to find out.

Day #3

We found Ria! The planets have now aligned and we are one. Or four. Life is good. xoxo

Day #2

The protests in Ulaanbaatar today proved to be peaceful, so Lauren and Meg were able to pop into my office for some cake and a chat with my lovely colleagues. Lozzie, however, is still super tired, and for the third night in a row, has passed out on the couch.

Even Bill + Ted's Excellent Adventure won't keep her awake...

Day #1

We schlepped on a bus to a monastery in a beautiful forest type setting.

Lauren did not spew on the bus, but snow did flow from the mouth of the sky. Cloud spew.

Meg made friends with many cows... and peeked through a hole.


Amelia came prepared with drinks.


We walked for miles and miles back to the town of Zuunmod, but it was all worth it for the short ride we hitched on the back of a blue truck while trying to avoid mud and horse skeletons.

One day down, not enough to go...

Warmth...

In approximately three hours, Lauren and Meg will touch down in Ulaanbaatar. Ria will be here next Tuesday. They're the first people I've had visit here and they are also three of my most favourite people in the whole entire world. Needless to say, I am somewhat excited about their imminent arrival, so much so that I am actually cleaning the house. If you know me, you'll know I don't do this for just anyone, so yes, they are all very special indeed. I have also purchased a few other supplies for their visit:



To mark this wondrous event, I plan to post a new photo every single day they're here. They deserve nothing less than a clean house and daily recognition that they rule the world. Check back in tonight for bleary eyes, big hugs + bewilderment...