Trans-Siberian Railroad

Posted on Thursday, 10 February 2011 by robjkentjr


02 Aug 2010 | Erlian, (43.671845, 111.977119)

Sad to finally be leaving Mongolia, we boarded the Trans-Siberian Railroad to Beijing.  After another 24-hour train ride in much better conditions than Kazakhstan, we woke up in China to our train being lifted off the tracks so the wheels could be changed to ride on the Chinese rails.
The trains were rather nice considering this was only a 2nd class compartment car.

This was our room, which normally sleeps four but we lucked out with only three people and a place for all our bags.
Because I was nice, I gave the bottom bunk.  At least she could almost sit upright in this bed.
We were so happy to hear that we had access to a dining car.  Again, the privileges of not riding refugee class.
When the train comes in, it is lifted up; this long line of trucks is pushed under it, moving the existing wheels out of the way; and then the train is lowered on to its new wheels.
Here are the men running along with the wheels as they are pushed under the train.
Once all the Mongolian wheels are moved out of the way, the new trucks are lined up and the train is lowered onto them.
This train ride was such an improvement over our last one with better beds, climate control and most importantly .  The next morning we woke up in smoggy Beijing and not able to see across the block.

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Nadaam Festival

Posted on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 by robjkentjr


11 July 2010 | Ulan Bator, (47.9022, 106.9162)

During the day of main events, a group of us walked around the stadium area to watch the games.  Once we fought through the traffic jam at the entrance, it was just a short walk to all the colorful games that make up the heft of Mongolian .
The official color guard holding the national pennant during the general’s opening ceremony inspection.

One of the Buddhist deities during the Tsam Dance at a cultural show Rasa attended.
Unfortunately, we did not make it out to the countryside to see the horseraces but we did see these two bypassing a traffic jam in the .  I guess Mongolia does not forbid talking on a mobile while riding.
Wrestling is the major event during Nadaam.  Without tickets this was about as close as I could get to the action during the preliminary trials.
Everyone lining up to take the first shot in the women’s competition.
An archer lining up the arrow for his shot at the winning prize.
This was one of the smaller games of the competition; the ankle bone toss.  The team flicks an ankle bone at a target for points.  Exciting stuff!
Nearly escaping a major downpour at the end of the day, it proved to be a very fun event despite our worries about going there.  We heard many warnings about pickpockets at the games but we did not have a single problem and will be leaving the country unmolested for China on the Trans-Siberian railroad next week.

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The faces of Mongolia

Posted on Wednesday, 5 January 2011 by robjkentjr


13 July 2010 | Ulan Bator, Mongolia (47.9022, 106.9162)

Throughout the Nadaam Festival, which celebrates the three manly sports; wrestling, horse racing and archery, it seemed the entire population was dressed in their traditional costumes.  Here are some of the more colorful characters from the week-long festival.
This is a grandmother and her granddaughter from Western Mongolia.  They are from the Oirad Tribe in the Altai .

I think the facing woman is from the Buryat (Buriad) tribe in North-East Mongolia.
This woman is Durvud (Dörvöd) from the Oirad tribe in North-West Mongolia.
This is a traditional dress hat for celebrations.  I think it is called a hatguur, or pointed hat and symbolizes the legendary Mount Sumber.
Here is another type of hatguur that was worn by the local news-caster doing interviews at the festival.
This hat is traditional to the Kalkha people in Central Mongolia, which is also seen in the National .
This is a traditional costume from the Khovsgol-Uriankhai region in North Mongolia.
Although the major events are held in the , and I really wanted to see the games out in the countryside where each village holds a type of qualifying match to see who goes to the championships in the big .  Next week I will have some photos from the wrestling, horse racing and archery games.

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4th of July abroad

Posted on Friday, 24 December 2010 by robjkentjr


03 July 2010 | Ulan Bator, Mongolia (47.8982, 106.9311)

Having made friends with the Marines during our weekly Thursday trivia game, they invited us to the Embassy’s annual 4th of July party.  I have to say, it was one of the best BBQs I have ever been to.
The crowd listening as the American Ambassador delivers his speech kicking off the 4th of July celebration.

The Medieval beer wenches really stand out in Mongolia but I guess the whole day was juxtaposed anyways.
Grilled meat, beer, and Marines are the essence
of any great 4th of July BBQ.
These guys made the party though; they played everything from New Orleans Jazz to Classic Rock.
Did you know that the Marines spend more money on their bands than the entire budget for the Corps? But I have to say, it was worth every penny to have a taste of in a far off land.
Beer and twirling do not go well together in a Baseball Bat Spin Race.  But the moral of the story is that tattletale children should not stand in the race lane or they might get run over.
This is what a Kazak Eagle-hunter would call a show bird; it has been raised from a hatchling and never hunted in the wild.
With only one small child trampled, I left the party proudly displaying my 3rd place medal and wore it around town for the next two weeks.  I finally had to take if off during the Naadam Festival so I could chase around all the small children in traditional clothing and amazing hats.

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Gobble gobble!

Posted on Thursday, 25 November 2010 by robjkentjr


2004 to 2005 | Kabankalan, Philippines (9.9984, 122.8173)

Happy Thanksgiving! I have been editing all of our past pictures and I thought you might enjoy my joys of raising turkeys while living in the Philippines.
All of my chicks celebrate their first weeks hanging out and socializing in their pabo palace.

I slowly build my turkey’s trust by feeding and caring for them.
Next, I trained them to sit on my shoulder.  If only I was a pirate, I would be the envy of all.
I soon have them out of the palm of my hand.
Look how well my babies have grown up and bloomed into full fledge gobblers.  I named these two the Rasta Brothers (I think I named my yak this as well).
They now trust me completely and I can do what I want with them.
Then comes the inevitable holiday and someone must be eaten for lunch; lechon pabo is the best!
Altogether, I raised about 30 turkeys in three clutches over the two years I was in the Philippines.  I formed a special bond with them and on this Thanksgiving day I am thankful I did not have to face the moral dilemma of shooting one last week when I went hunting in Virginia.

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