Tomorrow we leave for the countryside!
We are going to a different camp than last year; this one will include military-style training for the campers. (We were told we could participate if we wanted.) Last year we rode three hours in buses; this year we ride 3 hours on a train. I hear this is the most comfortable way to travel in Mongolia. Also I hear that the train goes around 20-25 miles an hour.
The description of "Camp Amenities" includes "washing troughs" and "squatty potties," with a note that laundry is self-clean only. I was happy to hear that there is a river only a five-minute walk away if needed.
I have had a splendid week with my team members. Spending all day with seven college students from California is adventuresome and educational. I am learning Californian lingo. I also learned that avocados are really cheap in California, like six for a dollar if you go to the right place.
I must go to the market to stock up on these before camp:
- toilet paper
- baby wipes
- fresh produce - last year I got a hefty bag of prunes. This year I am not going to get prunes. I am going to get apples or oranges.
Very much looking forward to sharing photos and stories when I return to the city on July 10!
Jun 25, 2014
Монгол улс
Yesterday we learned some Mongolian (which uses the Russian alphabet).
- The word for no is ugai. They can also say no using a throat noise I don't have letters for. It sounds like the noise we make with the back of our throat when we are imitating a animal snarling (fun to say).
- We asked to learn the word for please so we can use it when directing our students. The lady told us there isn't really a word for please - it depends on the tone of voice. (How many ways can a teacher say, "Students, open your books"?)
- cat = muur; horse = muur. Do not mix: Horses are good; cats are not good.
- aaruul - this is a cheese I have a hard time describing. It has a hard, dry sort of crumble and tastes to me rather like milk mixed with salad dressing.
- The word for chocolate sounds pretty much the same. The universal word. That is convenient.
- The word for no is ugai. They can also say no using a throat noise I don't have letters for. It sounds like the noise we make with the back of our throat when we are imitating a animal snarling (fun to say).
- We asked to learn the word for please so we can use it when directing our students. The lady told us there isn't really a word for please - it depends on the tone of voice. (How many ways can a teacher say, "Students, open your books"?)
- cat = muur; horse = muur. Do not mix: Horses are good; cats are not good.
- aaruul - this is a cheese I have a hard time describing. It has a hard, dry sort of crumble and tastes to me rather like milk mixed with salad dressing.
- The word for chocolate sounds pretty much the same. The universal word. That is convenient.
Jun 24, 2014
yogurt and milk
We just found out our daily schedule for while we will be at camp:
Last year at the other camp they had yogurt and milk time too: Pots of plain yogurt, fairly runny, that they poured into cups. And at night, pots filled with warm milk instead, for bedtime.
7:20-7:50 Morning Exercises
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-11:00 Teaching
11:00-11:30 Break/Snack
11:30-1:00 Teaching
1:00-2:00 Lunch
2:00-5:00 Team Time / Lesson Prep / Rec Time
5:00-5:30 Yogurt Time
5:30-7:00 Lesson Prep / Rec Time
7:00-8:00 Supper
8:00-9:00 Cultural Presentations
9:00-9:30 Milk Time
Last year at the other camp they had yogurt and milk time too: Pots of plain yogurt, fairly runny, that they poured into cups. And at night, pots filled with warm milk instead, for bedtime.
Jun 23, 2014
Jun 19, 2014
fourteen
Rockies to Los Angeles this morning.
In the Los Angeles airport right now -- 8 hours down, only 6 more to go. That's 14 hours in the airport, prep for the 14-hour flight to Beijing for our first layover.
Saw a union strike over minimum wage around lunchtime: Several dozen people armed with whistles and even drums, with equivalent police to match. I was busy texting on my phone typical-teenager style and barely got out of the way before they marched past.
Today's job: Shepherd eighteen college students through Air China ticketing and security to our 1:40 a.m. flight. Seventeen are here so far! I lost solidly at Egyptian Rat Race and a 90's-themed guessing game (a band called Smashing Pumpkins? never heard of it). I handed out mints and they laughed (I think they thought it was a teacher-thing to do). I have all their names down pat.
The best part is that one of the team members brought this:
No, really, the best part is that they are fun and friendly folk and I am really looking forward to the next six weeks with them. But the ukulele was a definite boost. I will be proficient by the end of summer.
In the Los Angeles airport right now -- 8 hours down, only 6 more to go. That's 14 hours in the airport, prep for the 14-hour flight to Beijing for our first layover.
Saw a union strike over minimum wage around lunchtime: Several dozen people armed with whistles and even drums, with equivalent police to match. I was busy texting on my phone typical-teenager style and barely got out of the way before they marched past.
Today's job: Shepherd eighteen college students through Air China ticketing and security to our 1:40 a.m. flight. Seventeen are here so far! I lost solidly at Egyptian Rat Race and a 90's-themed guessing game (a band called Smashing Pumpkins? never heard of it). I handed out mints and they laughed (I think they thought it was a teacher-thing to do). I have all their names down pat.
The best part is that one of the team members brought this:
No, really, the best part is that they are fun and friendly folk and I am really looking forward to the next six weeks with them. But the ukulele was a definite boost. I will be proficient by the end of summer.
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