Today Was a Good Day

            I’m feeling like Ice Cube in his video It Was a Good Day. Why do you ask? Well for one my regional manager and the new DMO of Peace Corps Mongolia visited my ger today. It was good to be around Peace Corps staff. We engaged in two-hour conversation and some of the topics we discussed related to my ger, safety, security, and other Peace Corps top-secret information. It was quite amusing how annoyed they were when my stovepipe kept rattling back and forth from the monstrous wind. Prior to the visit I thought it was normal for my pipe to talk back to me when the wind angrily shoved it around. Guess I was wrong! What made my visit even better was when my DMO gave me some presents from America land. The items were simple, but being in Mongolia, the simplest things have the most significant meaning. She rewarded me with a roll of Charmin toilet paper (the stuff I’ve been using is literally tree bark, ha!) and a box of Kraft’s macaroni and cheese. I oozed joy when she presented me with these two items. I never thought that I would be so excited to see a box of mac and cheese, but Mongolia will do that to you.

            Furthermore, I finally received my package that my mother had sent to me. I thought I was never going to get it. I impatiently waited three weeks for my package to arrive and to finally receive it feels like I’ve been sent a bar of gold. My mom treated me to a lot of things that I missed and needed dearly. It was like my personal pre-winter kit. The package included tea (vanilla spice, ginger, apple cinnamon, etc.), Vicks vapor rub, tights (I think I’ll be using these next year because I will morph into an icicle if I walked outside wearing mesh tights), leggings, long johns, candy (kit kat and snickers), hair products, tide to go (oh how I missed thee), eyeliner, blistex, an external hard drive, Ugg boots, and much more. Nonetheless I was as happy as a baby with a pacifier.

            I truly needed this good day. It is the start of the week and I am now optimistic for the rest of the week to unfold. I’ve been feeling a world wind of emotions and its good to finally feel on top again. I know that this journey is an emotional rollercoaster but that's what makes the process all the more worth it. But before I get mushy on you all I will stop at just that. Winter’s a coming and I’m ready for it! Currently its 16 degrees Fahrenheit and I’m living in a home made out of felt. Sometimes I wonder if you have to be slightly insane to do what I am doing. But I’m taking in ever moment, good and bad, and experiencing Mongolia through my own eyes! Have a great night and a great week everyone!

Some of the contents in my care package.

Ugg boots. Thanks Mom!

It Was A Good Day - Ice Cube

Наєр

So first and foremost I would like to apologize for not writing many blog entries. It’s so easy to get caught up in the events going on around you that you forget to let the rest of the world know what’s going on. In this blog I will focus on an experience that has had an impact on my life within the past couple of weeks. I will be discussing Mongolian house warming parties (Наєр).

            For the past couple of weeks the teachers at my school have been attending Наєр (Naer transliterated). In Mongolia when a person or family purchases a new home, whether it is a ger, house, or apartment, they have a Наєр, also known as a house warming party. This event is to welcome coworkers, family members, acquaintances, etc. to one’s new home and it also serves as a blessing to the household. In America we have Наєр’s as well but in Mongolia they usually play out in the same fashion. So far I have attended 2 Наєр’s and they have comprised of the same agenda. When you first arrive to the person’s house you take a seat and usually wait for other guest to be fully seated. When you walk in you are greeted by a décor of dried fruit and candy, fashionably displayed on coffee tables. Also there are bottles of vodka and an abundance of plates and bowls that are used for airag and food. Then phase 1 begins.

                        Phase 1 entails being served salad (fruit or potato, sometimes both), airag, and a shot of vodka. Once everyone receives their salad, airag, and shot of vodka, we move on to phase 2, which is composed of the main course. I cannot generalize, as I’ve only attended two of these house-warming parties, but the main course is shul (soup in English). The soup contains potatoes, carrots, meat, tomato flavoring, and noodles. Not to digress, but I have to say that Mongolians are very good at making soup. Although their ingredients are modest, the flavoring leaves you craving more after you are finished. When all of the guest are finished eating the true festivities begin.

Phase 3 entails drinking numerous shots of vodka and airag and singing a Mongolian song. This is when everyone relaxes and engages in conversation and when people begin singing, everyone chimes in. Unfortunately for me I did not know the full length of any Mongolian song. I did know the first line for one song so when it was my turn to sing I harmoniously sang the first line with all of my heart and soul and lip-synced the rest of the words. I’m pretty sure that the schoolteachers knew I was faking my knowledge of the song but they still sang with joy. The singing is usually the ending to the Наєр but sometimes guests remain and engage in conversation until the feast is concluded.

I am not too sure how many more of these house-warming parties I will be invited to but I am glad to accept any invitation upon request. Free food and spending time with your coworkers! What more can a girl ask for? In other news the weather is starting to get a bit chilly. There are still nice warm days in between when the bright sun kisses my amber cheeks. I am looking forward to winter! Well… until next time.