Throne Me

I'm going on a four-day camping trip tomorrow. I'm really not very good at the whole 'being outside with only a bit of canvas for a roof' affair. I am, however, hoping to catch a fish, climb a mountain and find an animal throne. Wish me luck.

Blooming

I'm still not sure this is really happening. Did I take the red pill + fall into a marmot hole? Is jesus's dad screwing with me because I don't take his son's birthday seriously anymore? Are the beetroots I've been living on for the past week actually magic? I ask all of these questions because the temperature has been in the 20s the past few days and:

Today I saw flowers in the Mongolian countryside for the first time.


Clearly a career in botany beckons.


Today, I smelt + felt rain in Mongolia for the first time. The ground looked like this before that happened though.


Today I rode a horse bareback for the first time. Its spindly winter battered frame supported my winter fattened body, and I felt like the most evil giant in the world... until I scored a saddle and galloped for the first time.


Yesterday, I drank beer outside in Mongolia for the first time. Andrew + Julian did too and were clearly very excited to be involved.

I think I like this floral, beetroot fuelled, springtime equine wonderland.

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.