The night before I departed for UB, the APDC's board of directors met. During the meeting, I presented my final report and then introduced the concept of board-level working committees. After much discussion and excitement, every member assigned up for two of the five newly formed committees. In addition, they agreed to identify at least two additional people from the community to serve on the committees (using a "skills-based matrix" of course). Needless to say, my work is going to be cut out for me when I return. I will have to stay at least one step ahead of each of the committees plus will need to have materials prepared far enough in advance so that Bavaasan can translate everything into Mongolian.
The trip to UB sas not without incident. Thus far, I have yet to travel between Choibalsan (Choi) and Ulaanbaatar (UB) without some type of challenge. This time we had two flat tires. As a result, we were held up for awhile in a small village while the tires were being fixed. Inspite of the challenges, yet another memory was created. The car I was riding in could accomodate three passengers in the back . . . that is unless one of them is a traditional wrestler weighing in somewhere between 250 and 275 pounds. Nice kid....just big! Whenever he fell asleep the other woman and I would literally end up on top of each other because he would take up the entire back seat LOL. What was really a hoot was when he and I were wrestling while waiting for the tires to be fixed. As any mother would do, I quickly used tickling tactics to control the situation.
The camp is about three hours northwest of UB. It was exactly what ia needed - trees, hills, an early morning mist, grass, flowers, horses, sheep, etc. . . . all the things I do not have in Choi. Loved it!!!
Ultimately, I ended up staying an extra day to have finger prints taken at the Immigration's office in UB. Had I not taken the time to do so, I might have been fined more than 1 million tugriks when I returned to Choi (which is equal to approximately $850USD). Mining activities have increased significantly in recent years; as a result, Mongolia has been experiencing more and more issues with illegal immigrants. Hence the reason for stricter regulations. Besides, as you all know, I can be pretty scary sometimes so it was critical that I get the finger printing out of the way.
June 17th, I returned to Choi. And, I am pleased to share that my trip back was uneventful . . . . which is a first!!!! (smile) We even got back in record time for a microbus (12 1/2 hours). The lesson learned on this trip was to never again sit in the very back row of the bus. Five bodies, squeezed into a row of seats that sit higher than everyone elses is not a good thing. There is no defense from the bumps in the road (oh sorry, the fields) and it was not uncommon to hit your head on the top of the bus. So, even though it was ONLY 12 1/2 hours, they were l-o-o-o-n-g hours. LOL
Tomorrow, I should get Pity - the cat. Pictures will be forth coming.
Blessings and love to all.