Howling ghost they reappear, in mountains that are stacked with fear

We did a trip! Check out the map (thanks to Krista!):

Where we went: Sumber soum (red dot) and Buir Lake (blue dot), Ikh Burkant (purple dot),

We were in Dornod, the province above mine. It borders both Russia and China, and we were (obviously) so close to the China side that we needed special permission from the government to be there. Even Ellen, our (now former!) Country Director, had to write a letter saying that we were cool and not spies for America or whatever. 

It was a looong ride (~8 hours) each way, and being only a two day trip, my tailbone was a bit bruised. It was some good times though. We even camped outside and made SMORES. Over a REAL ((cow-dung)) CAMPFIRE! I hadn't had smores in over 2 years (maybe 3?)... it was magical.

Anyway, to spare you the history lesson about this (turns out, extremely important) World War II battle site, read the wiki:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Khalkhin_Gol 

Now! For pictures! (Pro tip: clicking on the picture makes it big and it seems to look better... at least on my work computer)

Actually in Dornod...

On a tank, also like a BOSS

Jess, lookin' good with her kitty umbrella... 

And me, lookin' not so good with my kitty umbrella... (I had a bum toe from a huge blister from the build, and it was HOT outside and I'm trying not to get sunburned. This was from when we were waiting for a ride back to the city after watching the horse race)

Aaaand here's Chris, in our ride back to the city. We're in a "pick-up" truck of sorts, probably more suitable for livestock.

Ok, NOW we're on our way east!

Past a many military checkpoints...

And FLAT open steppe.

I liked tree pictures this trip apparently. 

Camping!

Near a mosquito-infested river! (It was really quite nice, but I still have bite-scars)

TREE

Our porgon, from faaar away.

Grave/memorial sites

Buddha on a hill (that we apparently weren't supposed to be on...? told to us after the fact) 

Really awesome.

Aaaand a huge lake that's connected to China. Which we apparently were also not supposed to swim in, also told to us after the fact!

Now that (my) Ellen has left... what is there for me to do? Apparently blogging and waiting for Naadam to be over so I can finish my project are the appropriate actions. Also, watching WWII documentaries. SO much I didn't know about it! I felt quite stupid. I need to take some more history classes.

Alrighty. Over and out.

July, July, it never seemed so strange.

Since it's the end of July, most M21s have left... I missed most of the TEFL goodbyes because of camp and the like, and it's been really strange knowing I can't text or call people like I used to. The goodbyes have been strange, too, knowing that I'm staying.

And now it's nearly my turn to say goodbye to my community, as I move to UB. Considering the amount of times I almost started crying at work on Friday, I'm thinking this is going to be tougher than I thought. I really, really adore my hospital and my community and I'll miss being here everyday. This Peace Corps poster really sums it up well:

"The most difficult challenge is leaving."

Speaking of goodbyes, there was one that I didn't get to do- Mika. During my trip in UB/Dornod, I received a frantic call from my site mate saying that he had gone missing from my apartment. We think since he knew this time was growing ever closer to part with me, he decided to do it prematurely... and jump out the 3rd story window. There haven't been traces of him since, but I hope he's happy, where ever he is! God speed, you crazy bastard cat. :(

There are so many things I'd like to write about, but I'll save it for later. I'll basically be an emotional wreck for the next 3 weeks, so ignore the screams as it were. Instead, here are some photos from Ellen and I's trip to the countryside with my counterparts in late June:

He is my squishy and he will be mine. And he will be my squishy. (One week old kid!)

Milking a cow... LIKE A BOSS

And one more photo from Dornod's Naadam:

Happy Naadam! :)

Nothing is as scary as election day...

(Song by my dear Norah Jones...)

Election Day in Mongolia... to read about what happened 4 years ago, check this article out. No worries, though, Peace Corps is keeping us nice and safe. I'm pretty sure nothing crazy will go down in my little town, esp because it's raining cats and dogs outside. (RAIN I HATE YOU... mostly because it's raining INSIDE my apartment more than ever. Sigh.)

I'll talk about camp later. It was fun. For now, election coverage!

It's been a little tough to understand exactly what's going on, or who is promising how much money to whom, but the process is pretty similar to American elections:

Lots and lots of ad banners

Random rallys seemingly in the middle of nowhere

Office parties! (This was taken while we were driving by in the meeker... so sue me if  it's crooked)

Covering children with huge stickers of your associated party.

More ad banners!

Really random helicopters hovering over our town of 15,000.  (Actually kinda cool since this is the first time I've ever seen anything working at our airport)

And, of course, REALLY LATE NIGHT FIREWORKS FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TO WAKE ME UP.
...I'm not bitter.

Not pictured: Political rallys in the square, TV ad after TV ad, a freaking giant HORSE parade, and lack of CPs at work because they're working for the election. 

Cat Post (and other things)

We're headed to camp tomorrow until the 24th... so here's a June post for ya. Oh yes, if you want to read about last year's shenanigans...

In May news, I had my birthday (which was an amazing joint party with Bonnie, who's b-day was the 13th), finished up projects, wrote reports, etc. BUSY.

OH YEAH. And the M23s are here. Oh boy. Doesn't that make me feel like an old M21. I'm getting pumped about this coming year... it'll be pretty amazing. Unless it isn't. Then that would be sad. But I've already made plans, like Eagle Fest and learning Spanish. I've already got my dates down for my home leave (c/o peace corps!)... Dec 20th-Jan 27th... watch out family and friends all across Amerik. Kate's comin' for ya!

But this post isn't about me, it's about my kitty, Mika, who will probably be in a new home by this time next month. My new apartment in UB doesn't allow kitties, so... new home he goes. I'll miss playing fetch with him, and having him attack my feet at night. He'll have fun being a ger kitty, I'll bet. There'll be more things to kill than flies.

Here's to you, Mika:

(He actually put himself like that... I didn't put him under the covers)

Bonus picture!! New tattoo: "nuhuriin hereg butvel, ooriin hereg butne" (basic english translation: if you help others, you'll receive help yourself)

That's it for now. Until after camp!