spring

I'm still trying to come to terms with how much the city has changed in the few months since winter officially ended. I admit, yes, I cheated and spent the worst part of winter bathing in the warmth of a beautiful Australian summer - but let's just quickly remember this:

I did my time!

Here's a great series of photos (credit goes to Andrew Antenucci) that illustrates the progression of the seasons in this city.

That's pollution...not cloud.

There has been a explosion of green across the city. I was excited when the weeds began poking their little buds out of the defrosted ground!  The trees in the park outside my apartment have bloomed, they are so green that I keep having to check that someone hasn't played a joke on me and painted them...

Jess enjoying the greenery

There has been a flurry of activity to clean up UB in time for summer. I have seen some odd things. Scrubbing the white lines on the road. Polishing fences. They even go to the trouble of relaying the footpath. Personally I think the time and effort would be better spent on making new paths, but this is Mongolia and not much makes sense here.

Proof of life.

The warmer weather has also meant that there's barely a weekend that goes by without some kind of party. There have been three birthday celebrations in as many weeks. I've burnt a massive hole in my wallet...metaphorically speaking.  I think I have a more active social life here than at home. For one, we all live within 5 minutes walk of one another so we can pop in and out of each other's places whenever we like. That's something I'll have to readjust to when I get back home! I've been spoilt.

For Jessy's birthday we went to Terelj National Park, about 90 mins east of the city.  It was a beautiful weekend. Splendiferous, in fact.

Look at all that skin!

We climbed the mountain to watch the sun set. But missed it...

I may have covered this in an earlier post, but Mongolian kids, especially those in the country side, are ridiculously, ridiculously cute.  It's something about their hardiness.  They have an amazing sense of adventure and are always covered in dirt and dried snot...and probably (let's be honest) poo. Of various varieties. It took all my strength not to bundle these girls up and smuggle them home.

Even though it remained warm in the evening we thought it only natural to have a bonfire...and to sing kumbaya some old Americana and gospel along side it. We even had some pretty good harmonies. Well. To my drunken ear they were awesome.

The best most enthusiastic rendition of Happy Birthday. Ever.

We went salsa dancing for Jess's birthday. There's not much you can't do in UB!

"Bin and Jin"

That really is just soda

A birthday candle for the birthday girl

Hahaha!

As is the nature of this program, I've said some sad farewells to some lovely friends and colleagues. First, Kate. A Dr from the UK. She volunteered at Lotus for 2 months focussing on sexual health education, the management of epilepsy and general health and nutrition for the children.

Kate, I'll miss your uncanny ability to go for an 8 hour 'stomp'  followed by 30 chin ups and think nothing of it.

Me, Kate, Alex, жижиг ("jijig" - little) Anna

Then Olivia! She was the first Lotus volunteer I met. I'll miss receiving your emails filled with new ideas and thoughts about how we can make Lotus better...at 2am. I'm not sure who's going to miss you more, me or the kids?!

We had a stellar farewell for Pam, the latest AYAD to leave us. Pam loves to eat and to dance. So we ate and danced in her honour. 

I lost the matching pair to these earrings months ago...

I hate goodbyes!

Ax