Crazy Capital Confessions

Ok not confessions, I just couldn't think of a third C word.

Have been in UB since Sunday. Took the train saturday night (it was fun I had never taken a night train before). There were 5 of us, 4 in a compartment. We stayed up talking till 3 and the train arrived at 7 so I didn't get too many hours of sleep. But we got in, dropped our stuff off at the dorm, and then just started walking. We walked all over and checked out a lot of cool markets and places of interest (money changer, guest houses, restaurants, state dept store). We met up with the rest of our group who drove and then went for dinner. We eat a lot here. Trying to get all the food I have been missing. Really wanted Mexican but the closest they come is a mexican/indian place. Really good but not muy authentico.

Per usual we have been kept pretty busy. We visited with the deputy minister for youth affairs, the National authority for Children, the embassy, and tomorrow will go to UNICEF. It was really good talking with them and has helped to solidify a little more the type of work we might be doing. Which up until now has been pretty nebulous.

UB is pretty cool. Half of the population of MONGOLIA lives in this ONE city. Isn't that crazy! Anything modern is in UB. But UB is still pretty shakey. Many sidewalks are just dirt and the slums/suburbs are gers. The drivers are insane. When it rains the internet goes slow. It is just kind quirky. However, the way a building or something looks from the outside is no indicator of how it might look on the inside. Things are really nice on the inside a lot of times even by American standards. Like I said quirky. It is wierd seeing white people all over. Not used to it. We definately lose our superstar status from our host community when we come to UB. It is very nice. In winter, however, I am told that Peace Corps people are the only foreigners in the country. Too cold for a normal person.

oops...it looks like I have to go now. We are going to a former Peace Corps Volunteer's appartment. He doesn't know us but is buying us pizza and cake. I think i like him.

Ps. bought a phone today but don't have a number yet. will post it tomorrow.

bye!