GRANDKIDS in MONGOLIA - part 2

The Senior Couples trip had the dates changed so we just made it part of our adventure.
        The "Older Folks" enjoyed the youthful addition!!

First stop was the Chinggis Khaan Statue - a 40 meter high creation out of town.  Inside are two museums and a big central space with a giant size Mongolian Boot and Whip.  You can go up inside the horse and then out onto his neck for a view of the countryside.

For perspective, the small spot on top of the middle of the mane is a person!

Standing up on the neck of the horse
Notice the detail in the face and whole statue 

Eagle and Vulture experts!

He is heavier than I thought!!

You are right, it takes two hands!!

Don't look at me like that!  One handed!!

Yikes, don't eat me!

"Thirteenth Century" is a group of camps to give an overview of Mongolian life in the 13th Century.

The first stop was the Guard Camp, they were strategically placed so the riders could carry messages to the next place, about 100 kms apart.  We got an opportunity to try some traditional clothes.

A "serious" family photo

These two look like they could easily protect the Homeland!!










 The next stop was the King's Camp.  There we were treated to a meal, soup, good salad, Khoshuur, and more Khoshuur!    This time we got the royal clothing and indeed they looked like Kings and Queens!

The Artist

There was an education camp where we were taught about schooling and each got our names in real Mongolian Script - written right there for us.  It is amazing to watch it done with the ink and brush!


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
At the Crafters Camp we saw how they made some of their necessities.

Our Electric Wheat Grinders have nothing over on this lady with her stone and stick.

Even in the country they get TV with a solar panel!

Grandma and Grandpa and their 2 Grandkids

The Camps were spread over a big area.  The rock formations were amazing - hard to believe that someone didn't just put the rocks on top of each other!!

The first Albino Camel we have seen

That night we stayed at a Ger Camp with all the Senior Couples.  The kids Ger got the first fire going inside so everyone gathered there to hear Sister England recite some of her Ballads, "Sam Magee" and "Frozen Bill".  We were so excited about the story that we caved in one of the beds!!

Their own private Ger

Sister England and her Ballad

No doubt it was the Woods who were too heavy!!

The next morning Grandpa took them for a run.

They found beautiful wild flowers which he presented to Grandma on their return.  The flowers are just gorgeous in all parts of Mongolia.

Turtle Rock

After trying YAKS and HORSES, they thought they had enough skill to attempt a CAMEL ride.

 Enough of this tourist stuff, now on to some service.

To be Continued . . .

GRANDKIDS in MONGOLIA

A great dream came true when our four oldest Grandkids were able to come visit us in Mongolia.

Some people thought we might be a bit crazy flying four teenagers half way around the world by themselves but we knew they could do it!!  Parker will be leaving for his mission in Albania the end of October so it was a good test run!

They arrived in Mongolia on July 21, 2013 looking bright and chipper after some long flights.  The girls flew from Cincinnati to Calgary where they were met by Dave and Karri and family, stayed overnight and then Parker, Matt, AnneE, and Carolyn flew to Vancouver, Beijing, and Ulaanbaatar.   The most eventful part of the trip was shopping in Beijing Airport, (not understanding the currency and perhaps spending more that they anticipated and giving Parker's Visa it's first test!)and then leaving their precious package on the plane, never to be seen again.

One of the students from our BioMedical class, Solongo, offered to show the kids around Ulaanbaatar. She took us to the "Intellectual Museum" (often known as the Puzzle and Game Museum).  The founder was a man who has created thousands of puzzles and games.  There were also several rooms devoted to Chess - games from many different countries with the most interesting pieces in all shapes and sizes. Jimmy and Tommy would have loved all the challenging puzzles and "magic" stuff!

The founder happened to be there
so we got a picture with him

She took us to a little cafe where they got
their first taste of Khoshuur and Buuz

A visit to Sukhbaatar Square, (with a stop for a little dart throwing), the National Museum and Ghandan Monastery filled the rest of the day.  

The street is often lined with balloon boards for dart throwing.
Parker was a master   

Matt and AnneE won a "Very large prize"

GHANDAN MONASTERY

There are a lot of prayer wheels

 

So many pigeons 

and a very big statue of Buddha 

In the "Countryside" we visited a family to share "One day in the life of Mongolia".

It started with a climb to an "OVOO" at the top of a little mountain.

While waiting for the Yaks to get ready, the boys had a  private lesson in Mongolian wrestling, compliments of our Guide and Driver!!

And the winner is . . . . 

YAK riders!!

ANIMALS - SHEEP AND GOATS

Parker's little lamb left a
surprise on his pants!

READY FOR A MONGOLIAN WINTER

YAK CART TRAIN

TALENT SHOW - MONGOLIAN STYLE

OUR HOSTESSES - THE WOMEN OF THE FAMILY

The Morin Khuur - Horse Head Fiddle

not just exactly like a cello!!

The next stop was part of the GOBI DESERT - Sand Dunes!!

Surprise that they got a "Jumping" picture!!

MONGOLIAN WILD HORSES

Mongolian horses were almost extinct but have been reintroduced into Hustai National Park after being bred in Belgium.  They are a different breed and have 2 extra chromosomes.  There are now about 250 in the Park.  Some astute looking by our driver found some way up on a mountain side so the crew hiked up a ways to get close enough to see them and get a few pictures from a distance.

                                                   The day ended with a horseback ride 

across the Mongolian Steppes.

A busy day and a bit of Jet Lag sent them to bed by 10:00pm!!

To be Continued . . .