I am going to have to initially apologize for the lack of photos. We supposedly have this new internet connection that is really fast, but every time I try to upload anything, the server times out. I will do it as soon as I can, as I know you'd appreciate the pics! Grr! It keeps saying that the server has been interrupted.

We recently had our October break. I stayed around the house mostly, but one of the other teachers, Jaya, was sweet enough to invite a few of us who were around for lunch at her place to commemorate another teacher's leaving. While the four of us were sitting around eating her delicious Indian food, we passed around the idea of heading to the countryside for a few days. I said, "Why not? I haven't been where we're talking about going and I'm not doing anything else." So, for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday we headed off to Hustai National Park and Kharkhorum, the old capital city during Chingis Khan's time. One thing I learned is that Chingis and Ghengis were two different people. Ghengis is Chingis' grandson.

We headed off early Thursday morning. We were not aware that there was to be any additions to our party, but learned then that two more travelers would be joining us. They turned out to be Leona and Maria. Leona was a Kiwi who was half Samoan and not only an Amazonian, but also an incredible beauty. Maria was from Finland and 66 years old. She had decided that she would travel for 3 months of every year and chose Mongolia, Russia and China for this year's destination. You gotta give her props! I began to grow concerned for her health, bumping around in the van and sleeping in the ger, but she was certainly a trooper!

First day we were in Hustai where we saw the famous Przewalski horses, known as tahki to the Mongolians. They are the last of the really wild horses in the world. They originated in Mongolia and were exported to various places. Unfortunately they died out in Mongolia and a Polish man, named of course Przewalski, took a great interest in this and ensured their return to this country. Now they live in a protected park and are doing well. I also learned that they have 2 more chromosomes than regular horses. I'm not really sure what that means, but it's a proud fact here. They have 66 chromosomes compared to regular horse's 64. We spent the day trying to wrap our heads around that.

After this visit we headed to the ger camp. There was a bit of confusion, as the couple the tour company usually stays with had moved from their summer palace to the winter one. They have three ger camps they use throughout the year. They were such a cute and energetic couple. One would never have guessed their ages! He was 72 and she was 66. You could most definitely see the beauty in the wife's face and he, whom I've deemed "The Dude", was such a character. One of the teachers I traveled with was bald. The Dude was so drawn to him for it! Even though we really could not communicate, we laughed together. He would stop by every once in a while to show us some gadget he had or to rub Richard's head. It was very cute and lively.

After our night there we headed out fairly early the next day to see Kharkhorum. There was a museum there and many temples. Luckily, our guide, Ankha, was a Mongolian History major at University and could tell us many interesting facts and folklore. There was a temple there dedicated to the Dalai Llama and three to Buddah, one for each stage of his life. I did learn that Dalai in Mongolian translates to ocean because the Dalai Llama was said to have such great knowledge that it was as big as an ocean. Seeing as how I have a student in my class named Dalai, I stowed this bit of information and told the class on Monday when I returned. They actually seemed proud of me!

After the old capital we headed to see the penis rock, pointed toward vagina mountain. We were so geared up to see this penis rock! When we got there it was much smaller than we had expected, maybe about 2 feet total. Something that is interesting about it is it was erected to remind the monks not to fraternize with the local women. One was caught many, many years back and as a result, he was castrated. After, this the rock was erected pointed at this mountain that was said to frenzy the supposedly chaste monks. Well, the vagina looked like just a mountain with some grooves in it. I didn't see it.

We stopped off at a ger camp for lunch and were approached by a musician who offered to perform for us. We refused his initial offer of a 45 minute concert for a 20 to 25 minute one. He played all the traditional instruments and even did some throat singing for us! It is the kind of sound that you would get from an electronic voice box, but naturally. It was strange and fascinating to hear. He was a very jovial and talented man and I'm glad for the opportunity to have seen him perform.

It was pretty cold this day, but I was dressed warmly and did not mind. We then traveled to some sand dunes. I enjoyed the fact that my new camera made me unconcerned of running out of space on my memory stick. I could just take pictures at will! How freeing! We did not have much time at the sand dune (not nearly as large as the ones I visited in the Gobi last year!) but appreciated the chance to get out of the van. I took many pictures but began to worry about sand getting in my camera due to the wind. I tried to capture the sand being blown, but the photos did not turn out as I'd hoped. I still need to mess around with the settings.

It was threatening to get dark as we headed back, but we still had some camel riding ahead of us! Jaya and Maria declined, but Richard, Leona and I went. I left on a camel and returned on a horse. It was not a huge ride, but I have to say, I can't understand why people are afraid of camels. They are a wild animal, but just so ...what's the right word? Lackadaisical isn't right and neither is resigned. They just seem calm and go with the flow. Horses, now they're a different story! Initially all the lead animals seemed annoyed and did not want to cooperate, but the owners took charge and they relented. We had learned that earlier some other tourists had taken them out and perhaps they felt their day should be done. After all, I had woken then up early that morning to take their picture! I was kind of astonished to see the camels sleeping laying on their side. I had expected them to stay in a sort of legs-tucked-underneath-them kind of position, but hey, we all need to stretch our legs!

Not everyone slept as well that night as it was much colder that night. I was okay, but Jaya got up as soon as they came in to relight the fire to get warm. She's sick now and missed school today. Sleeping in a ger is basically like sleeping in a tent, but it's more sturdy. So, the cold seeps in during the night. Initially you are too hot, but later it gets very cold. Even though you are sheltered from the wind, you have not felt the Mongolian cold. It gets in everywhere.

Our last day we basically spent driving. We stopped off at the same place we had lunch in on our first day in. I have discovered I love the Mongolian milk tea. It's milky (strange for me to like this!) plus salty. It's not for everyone, but it has a taste I enjoy. The one thing I don't like is that fermented milk they call something like "arich". It just takes like sour cream or any thick dairy product gone bad. They love it!

School is back and things are going good. I'm really beginning to enjoy my class and all they have to offer me. They really are a good bunch of kids. I think that now that the initial adjustment period is over, they have really, truly, settled into the (okay, my) routine. They actually get upset if I don't do the word of the day with them! They will perpetually ask me, "Miss M, what's the word of the day?" Until I can find a space in which to do it in, they keep asking. We have a set morning ritual that brings us into our work day. Every morning I ask, "What do we do every morning class?" They readily respond with, "Take temperature, check homework, change the calendar, take attendance!" I have to admit, it's a pretty wonderful feeling having a chorus of voices respond to your prompts. I am heard, and they do listen!