My time in the Mongolian countryside as drawn to a close.
I came in from Bayanmunkh two nights ago -- took the overnight jeep ride for the last time in a long time.
The ride was as interesting as ever...11 hours and we stopped to sleep even though we had two drivers. But given that it was my last time I wasn't so frustrated. Instead I looked at the stars over the steppe at 2 am and noticed the smoky color of the rolling mountains at 5 o'clock dawn.
...
Saying goodbye was difficult, but not so much as I expected. My neighbors helped me enjoy my final days to the fullest extent and we spent hours eating and talking like we always do, and speculating about when I might come again and who I might bring (as every Mongol knows , I will be needing a husband and babies directly upon return to the states).
I went outside of town to the ger homesteads and watched my neighbor administer shots to a herd of goats and got a ton of photos for my collection. I ate some more. I went to the outhouse every five minutes to relieve myself of the copious amounts of milk tea I had been drinking.
When the time finally came to get in the jeep I expected prolonged tears and a difficult goodbye. My neighbors, nomads always, simply said goodbye and told me to get in the car. "It's fine...you'll be back," they said.
I was only allowed to sniff one cheek each upon goodbye (the traditional greeting) because I was told I would sniff the other next time we meet.
And I was off.
All in all I feel I had the quality time I needed with my family to remember my last days in the Mongolian countryside as good ones and I know none of us will be forgetting each other any time soon.
...
So now I'm in the city preparing for a week of paperwork before I officially close service and trek out to the western lake Khovsgol. I am excited about this upcoming trip and I know it will bring a perfect close to two years in Mongolia. I will see some of the most famous places in the country -- the Erdene Zuu buddhist monastery, Mongolia's ancient capitol Kharhorin, the lake.
I am so excited about seeing all of you again in July...I hope the month or so in between brings happiness and health.
I came in from Bayanmunkh two nights ago -- took the overnight jeep ride for the last time in a long time.
The ride was as interesting as ever...11 hours and we stopped to sleep even though we had two drivers. But given that it was my last time I wasn't so frustrated. Instead I looked at the stars over the steppe at 2 am and noticed the smoky color of the rolling mountains at 5 o'clock dawn.
...
Saying goodbye was difficult, but not so much as I expected. My neighbors helped me enjoy my final days to the fullest extent and we spent hours eating and talking like we always do, and speculating about when I might come again and who I might bring (as every Mongol knows , I will be needing a husband and babies directly upon return to the states).
I went outside of town to the ger homesteads and watched my neighbor administer shots to a herd of goats and got a ton of photos for my collection. I ate some more. I went to the outhouse every five minutes to relieve myself of the copious amounts of milk tea I had been drinking.
When the time finally came to get in the jeep I expected prolonged tears and a difficult goodbye. My neighbors, nomads always, simply said goodbye and told me to get in the car. "It's fine...you'll be back," they said.
I was only allowed to sniff one cheek each upon goodbye (the traditional greeting) because I was told I would sniff the other next time we meet.
And I was off.
All in all I feel I had the quality time I needed with my family to remember my last days in the Mongolian countryside as good ones and I know none of us will be forgetting each other any time soon.
...
So now I'm in the city preparing for a week of paperwork before I officially close service and trek out to the western lake Khovsgol. I am excited about this upcoming trip and I know it will bring a perfect close to two years in Mongolia. I will see some of the most famous places in the country -- the Erdene Zuu buddhist monastery, Mongolia's ancient capitol Kharhorin, the lake.
I am so excited about seeing all of you again in July...I hope the month or so in between brings happiness and health.
3 Comments:
Well, on behalf of my countrymen I'd like thank you for your bravery, efforts and sacrifices. And believe me, I do have an idea of what you went through. Hats off. I hope you've had an enriching experience and that we'll have you back (with your man and kids) sooner rather than later. All the best.
By
Steppenwolf, at 6:23 AM
Awww. Carrie, sounds like you had a spendiferous time!;)
Dee
ps-next time try to call me at a decent hour;)
By
Anonymous, at 7:25 AM
sangambayard-c-m.com
By
samraat, at 7:08 PM
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