Happy Independence Day! This 4th of July finds me having a sleepy little Saturday at home with my family. I'm sitting in this tiny store that happens to have an internet connected computer in it. My little brothers and sister (my "doos") are munching chips and standing just over my shoulder.
Things so far are going well. At some points I feel that my mind is going to explode with all the classes we've been having. I am slowly but surely picking up the language. I guess it helps that four members of my family speak no English and the 13-year-old speaks very basic English. So unless I want to sit in awkward silences during meals, I pull out my dictionary and try to make conversation. It has been a bit of a struggle.
Today marks the beginning of our 4th week here in Mongolia. We have about 6 weeks of training left. We will officially swear in as Peace Corps Volunteers on August 19th -- then we'll be moved to our permanent site. I have been pretty happy with my technical training so far. I have already co-taught three English classes as well as impromptu lessons with my doos. Among other things I have taught them Simon Says, the Hokey Pokey, Red Light / Green Light, Duck-Duck-Goose, Uno, and Go Fish! They absolutely love Go Fish -- they can't get enough of it.
My ger has been doing nicely as well. I still haven't mastered how to start my own fire, but my little sister is more than happy to help me out. I've also been chopping wood, making kindling, and fetching my own water. To bathe, I use my little "tumpun" -- pretty much a bucket that I use to douse my body with pretty cold water. Needless to say, I bathe about every 3 days or so. I've also found that it is difficult to shave with cold water. I'm going to need to improvise something for that.
So yeah -- next week is Mongolia's Nadaam Festival in UB. It is their celebration of the "three manly sports" -- horseback riding, wrestling, and archery. I've heard it's quite fun. Wish me luck that I don't get pulled into an impromptu wrestling match with a huge muscle-bound Mongolian.
2 comments:
Yikes! Cold bucket showers! Joe says you should just grow a beard. I am glad to hear you are well. I am not sure if I would be any help since obviously I am in a different teaching situation than you, but if you have any teaching questions feel free to send me an e-mail. Good luck with that whole wrestling thing...
Scottie--it sounds pretty intense, but I know you and Ashlee are up to the challenge, hope everything goes well and we will try to call you today--DAD
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