Saturday, May 11, 2019

A Mongolian winter and a VERY long overdue farewell -- Jan 2019

After two great years living, working, traveling in and throughout Mongolia, our time drew to a close.  Here are a few last photos from Dec 2018-Jan 2019...downtown UB...

Buying an authentic Mongolian bow for a friend of ours--looks easy but this woman is STRONG.

A view of the city early Dec from 32 floors up

Visiting a cashmere factory--we made some lovely purchases...



A sampling of wonderfully colorful ger furniture, which we are taking home...

Aly's office, where she spent the past 2 years working



Our apartment where we spent the past 2 years living in downtown UB



Christmas season -- Sukhbaatar Square -- downtown UB

An ice bar...



A Happy New Year wish!

Our annual New Years card from the office

Friends and other winter activities...Aruinaa, Enkh and Zami off for a protest...

Khishgee, Zami and Erka--my wonderful admin girls and such lovely ladies
We were all guests at a wedding of a colleagues son...fun

Good friends-Maya and Sapar

Out with Kim wearing our masks as the SMOG is SO BAD...plus it's COLD.

After walking home from work--Aly, Maya and Kim.

Drinks on the house from the owner in celebration of the New Year -- thanks Ariunaa!

On our way to the gym at 6.25am in Dec....burrrrrrr...

It's COLD...feels like -39f!  (If you didn't know, Fahrenheit and Celsius meet at -40!)  This was 8 Dec 2018...
After a fun end to 2018, my last Friday in the office started with surprise balloons, coffee, tea and pastries to say goodbye!  Thank you all so much!





We were taken out by Zorigoo and Bayar, thanks friends!

The staff had a grand going away party with food, drinks and gifts (note the Mongolian earrings Aly is wearing!!)  Aly with Enkh.

Enkh, Davaa, Ganaa, Buddy, Bayar, Magnai, Saraa and Bagii

Bagii, Chuka, Sukhee, BatErdene, Uskhuu, Aly, Bataa, Buddy and Bymbaa

Sukhee, Erka, Chuka, Zorigoo, Ariunaa, BatErdene, Zami, Bymbaa and Bataa

Bataa, Aly, Ariunaa and Davaa

We had a terrific 2 years in Mongolia, made many wonderful friends and had fabulous experiences.  We will miss our friends, but look forward to seeing many down the road. 
баярлалаа!

In early Jan 2019, after many dinners out and wonderful going away parties, Buddy and Aly boarded a plane bound for home, via warmer climates...stay tuned for that update soon to follow!  With sunshine, friends and more travels...