On June 4th, I departed for Ulaanbaatar (UB) and the VSO summer conference, but only after a very busy week. Wednesday was Children's Day which was a day filled with games, activities and music. Each of our children received a gift of candy, chips and a small toy. At one point, several groups of 25 balloons were released into the air - but only after the children whispered their wishes into the balloons. 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 day after arriving in UB, 18 volunteers and 9 staff departed for the "Mongolian Secret History Ger Camp and Resort." 
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!!!
Every evening the group would sit outside the gers (four guests to a ger) and sing contemporary and Mongolian songs on the grassy hills. It was three glorious days!!!!
When we returned to UB the temperature went up dramatically. Most of the time I was there it was well into the 30s C (upper 80s F) and would rain for a short while each afternoon. I stayed on in UB for a few days in order to meet with potential funders and stakeholders. Everyday, I walked between 3-6 miles on average - trust me, I have blisters on top of blisters due to the torn-up roads and walkways. While I was there, I presented a report to VSO and APDC head offices. I visited the Rainbow Center (a center for children with disabilities); UB library to discuss their "DAISY' program for the visually-impaired; the Downs Syndrome Association; Zorig, MERCY CORPS, ADRA, SOROS and Canadian Foundations; and met with not one, but two, Parliament members - one of the meetings was actually in the Parliament building (which, I understand, is quite unheard of - smile).
All in all, even though many of the international foundations do not support organizations in the Dornod province (where I work), the meetings were still productive. Many of the foundations agreed to share training materials, data, and resources (including gifts in kind for our children). A couple of them may even be able to provide financial support - if not this year, then in 2012.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.
