New Life

Spring is such a beautiful time of year.  When we came last fall all the trees had lost their leaves and there were lots of dead looking "ever greens".  We wondered if they were Tamarack (Larch) and sure enough they were.  It has been exciting to watch them get green.

At home we see them on the Tamarack Trail but we never have the opportunity to see them as the needles come out because it is too early in the season for us to be hiking high up in the mountains.  Our altitude here is about  4500 feet above sea level so is comparable to a bit higher than Waterton Townsite!!          

 Different stages of "leafing out" of Larch.

Last week we went for a tour of the Parliament Building.  They have a big "Chamber" that looks like it could be Canadian, with the ruling party on one side and the opposition on the other.  They have been a democracy since the Russians left in the early 1990's.  Progress is being made and the next Presidential Election happens the end of June.







We were able to see the official Mongolian Peace Flag - nine flags made of only the best horse tails, white to be flown in peaceful times and black to be flown during times of war.  The horse tails are from all 21 provinces of Mongolia.  It only leaves the official Government spot during Nadaam, when it flies at the Nadaam Stadium.

We have now finished teaching English for the summer so we are looking forward to that break.  It was fun getting to know all the students.  So many of them are keen and enthused about learning English.  It really makes a big difference for their future when they become more fluent.  The experience sure did give us a great appreciation for all those teachers who have worked with us and our family through the years!!

Some of the Nurses we taught at Songdo Hospital
who took us out for dinner after our last class

Thanks to everyone for all your support.  The work is going great in Mongolia!!
                          All is well and Life is Good!!