Woo hoo -- today marks our official half-way point of Pre-Service Training (PST). If all goes as planned, we will officially swear-in as Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) on August 19th. The date we have marked on our calendars, however, is August 15th -- that's the day that all 67 of us trainees come together back in Zuunmod and Ashlee and I are reunited.
I won't lie -- these past few weeks being separated have been very rough, but we're taking it a day at a time and making it through. It helps that the Peace Corps issued us cell phones, so we do keep in regular contact. I was just talking to a couple today who went through training last year and they did NOT have cell phones and they were miserable.
But yeah, everything else is groovy. We're still kept very busy with language and training every weekday. Last week we celebrated Nadaam with our families -- I joined some family friends down by the river for a "goat roast" followed by multiple rounds of airag (fermented milk -- the Mongolian champagne) and vodka. We were also treated to several rounds of Mongolian songs -- the Mongolian people seem to love karaoke and they all have very beautiful voices.
I also got to watch some horse-racing and multiple rounds of Mongolian wrestling -- I even got to sit on a horse. There's a funny picture of that that I hope to post soon.
As for that, hopefully once we get to our permanent side at the end of August we'll have more regular internet access and we'll be able to post some photos. Until then, you will all have to wait in suspense.
I've got to go for now, my ride is leaving in 5 minutes. Take care!
2 comments:
Scottie, as always so good to hear that you and Ashlee are doing well and making the best of a tough situation. Shawn and Kay are coming to dinner tonight and bring over their new addition, a French Bull Dog that they just got as a puppy. We are grandparents to a new puppy now, ha, also Harry Potter just came out and will see this weekend, will let you know how it goes and get you the DVD when it comes out, take care--love you DAD
Scott & Ashlee,
It's so cool to hear about Mongolia and your experience. How is the food. I'm so picky I would be skinnier than I am now. That's cool you get phones but it sucks you have to be apart for weeks. The U.S. seems to be falling apart with all of our rights being taken away and the economy and political system being exposed as frauds and scams so at least mongolians seem to be able to live simply and be happy, something we should all be able to do. Stay healthy spiritually, mentally and physically. And have fun and laugh as much as possible. Scott, stop being a pussy and wrestle one of these Mongols already. LoL
Danny
Post a Comment