spring too: does Fozzie have feet?

It's Saturday, though I doubt it will be when I post this. It's raining for the first time in what feels like weeks. It's dirty; the rain. And the streets. And my shoes. It's cold. I'm wearing my new camel hair socks. I look like Fozzie Bear. Though, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen his feet. Does Fozzie have feet?

The similarity

...is uncanny

Jess and I went to Narantuul today. We went on a clothes run. It's where Fozzie and I were united. Mongolians don't really wear second hand clothes so you won't see any op shops in the city. Narantuul is another matter. It is an enormous market where you can find just about anything if you have the time and the patience - a ger if you need. A kitchen sink to go in it too. It is, surprisingly, organised. Shoes and boots are all together in one place, hardware in another. It (actually, mostly novices like me) would benefit a great deal from some signage. After all this time I'm beginning to get my bearings. Just. But I know exactly where all the second hand clothes and shoes are sold. Most of it is pretty bad.  Today Jess and I happened upon some polyester body shirts that made the 70s look drab.  We also found (though in the 'new' clothing section) a touching, what I can only assume to be Chinese, proverb printed on a t-shirt:


See the sky between a woman's thighs
See the sky between your own thighs
See the sky through your belongings by making holes in thrm (sic)
I.e. pants, jackets, shirts, stockings etc


We cried with laughter, much to the amusement bemusement of the shop keepers. 


Like most op shops, we went in search of untold treasures.  Recently I've purchased two pairs of second hand, leather boots for less than $20 each and a rather amazing vintage dress - another for my collection. I practically ran to it as soon as it caught my eye. It was love at first sight. I'm also developing an addiction to what I've called "old Mongolian lady" hats. I have two. But I plan to amass several more before my time here is done. Getting them home might be a problem. I'll wear them on the plane if I have to.

Hat 1. Blue

Hat 2. Camel

New dress...whiskey face

Back to the rain. The drainage in this city is almost nonexistent. The roads are completely flat and there are barely any storm water drains.  Even after a light drizzle, the water pools in the gutters making it impossible to cross the street without getting wet. The water is murky from the dirt and other unspeakable things it's sloughed from the streets. It's also curiously bubbly, like someone has emptied their dirty dishwater into the gutters. It could well be Morning Fresh for all I know. This city it full of surprises. Our house is currently using Morning Fresh circa 2000.

Something unspeakable on my Narantuul boots...

It's colder now than it was in the depths of winter. Well, inside at least. I had grown quite accustomed to my sweat moustache breaking out every time I stepped in my front door. A balmy 30 degrees all winter long. The State turned off the heating in early May and for the first time since arriving I've slept fully clothed and bundled in my doona/duvet/comforter like a normal person. Doona is such a strange word.


Spring started with such a bang. Thirty degree days, sunburn, short sleeves, dirty thong-clad feet. Then the winds came. The infamous April winds.  It blows the sand from the Говь (Gobi) through my bedroom window, it makes my hair crisp with dirt. As a side note: Gobi just means "desert".


Spring also brings snow. Beautiful snow. It clears the air and dusts the mountains with sugar. It makes even the ugliest eyesore beautiful. Sometimes, when the light is right, it glitters. It is the most wondrous thing. It's like how I imagine it to be living inside a snow dome. Mostly it is real snow but sometimes, when the State feels the need, they seed the clouds. The snow is different. Bigger, crispier, heavier. Weird. But I'll never tire of it. I'll miss it when I return home.

Fractals in all their beauty

It was Children's Day on Friday. A public holiday for most, but not for me!  Lotus had a party to celebrate the day and the grand opening for the new (now nearly 6 months old!) centre in Gachuurt. Despite the fickle weather, I think the kids still had a great time. They were showered with gifts - huge bags of sweets and, oddly enough, a can of pineapple. The weight of the can was too much for the flimsy bags. Most of the them exploded their contents all over the ground, much to the surprise horror of the children, who scrambled to save their precious, sugary delights!

Iderbold looking pretty pleased with himself

Ganstsegtseg - you're definitely not get any

Hatah, post pineapple explosion

I helped to coordinate games to keep the kids occupied (and to burn off some of the sugar!) in the afternoon. Apple bobbing, donuts on a string, twister, pin the tail on the horse (or donkey...but you know, this IS Mongolia). I was worried that the kids would judge me for my choice of games. Turns out they were a big hit. Especially the food related games. Children after my own heart...

The head teacher, Dolmaa gets in on the action too

Oh. And, yes. He does!

Ax