Not Your Average BIRTHDAY

Turning 68 in a far away country is an Adventure in itself but this year had to be a bit more!!

Ulziika had a surprise party in the office for me.  She had invited all the Senior Couples and some of the other staff.  When we came back from teaching our English Class, the office seemed dark and suddenly lights, music, decorations and a great cake!  I was completely surprised because it was Oct. 3 (we were leaving the next day)!

We celebrated my real birthday by going off to Khovd and then Bayan Olgii for the "EAGLE FESTIVAL". We needed to visit the missionaries in Khovd, do a little training, and have a fireside for the youth who went to the Mongolian Trek.  There was a very professional DVD made so we were able to show it to them.

 The plane was an hour and a half late leaving from Ulaanbaatar which got us to Khovd late and by the time we got on the "road", it was 5:30pm and dark by just after 6:30pm.  The driver was not familiar with the road so we needed to inquire of locals at several junctures.  Using the word road is a very loose term as most of it was more like a trail. At one point we came to a stop at the end of a valley where a little old man came out of his home, got in with us and took us back to a place where two trails crossed, pointed us in the right direction, then got out, and walked back to his own place in the black of night.  Even then we couldn't find the trail but our guardian angel in the form of a lonely Jeep came along and showed us where to cross the river!!  It was "enlightening" to see where we had been the night before, as we drove back, this time seeing the other end in the daylight.

There were professional photographers from all over the world at the Eagle Festival.  It is apparently a choice destination for "adventure photography".  We met people from Germany, Italy, Thailand and Korea for starters.  I also found a Canadian Toonie on the ground by the displays so there must have been some other Canadians there too!!

                                           The oldest Eagle Hunter was 80 years old.

The hunters dress in their traditional clothing and have their eagles hooded so they can not see until it is time to hunt!!

Bayan-lgii is very close to Kazakstan and most of the people there speak Kazak.  They also do beautiful embroidery as is evidenced by their clothes and costumes

The children are dressed and ready for the competitions too.

Love his real fox head hat!!

Maybe the next generation of eagles and hunters!

The parade begins

Even camels in the parade with twins riding in their boxes!

Some of the men perch up on the mountain side to release the eagles for the timed competition.  They see which eagle returns to his hunter in the shortest time.

Meat in hand, waiting for his eagle to come

Looking for the right hunter!

Coming in for the landing

Reward for a great flight!

It was a Photographers Paradise!!

We had the chance to attend Church in Khovd and participate with the members and Missionaries.  We visited with the Branch President at his home.

He has quite a collection of geese, ducks, chickens and even turkeys.

For their P-Day we took the Missionaries for a little hike up to a lookout over the city.

In front of the Church

Now I am older but I'm not sure about wiser!  Yes, I am wiser, we were able to watch all the sessions of General Conference!  We appreciated the talks and found it very interesting how the messages apply to everyone, everywhere.  Many challenges are the same, no matter if you are in Outer Mongolia or Southern Alberta!!  We appreciate all the support and encouragement from home!

Life is Good and All is Well