Miigaa, Tamir, Bat-Ochir, Baigalmaa, Me, and Enkhtuya
For the 2 days in between travels outside of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, we all were placed with a family. My family was a mother with her two grown daughters. I stayed with one of the daughters, her husband, and her two sons.
They were briefed on my vegetarian complications ahead of time and never let on that I was a problem. Food was constantly being offered and no matter what I ate, it wasn’t enough! In fact, I uncomfortably was an honored guest. I slept in the only bedroom – a full sized bed just for me – while the 6 of them slept on the living room floor. The mother and one daughter live elsewhere, but they slept over too. Being in the Gobi, I had a ton of dirty clothes to wash. Never given the chance. The older daughter, Baigalmaa, washed all of them and even made a point to show me she was separating the colors.
Only the younger daughter, Miigaa, spoke English and at times communication was challenging. There was no hot water the entire time I was there and the first day they wanted to take me somewhere in town for a shower. I never quite understood where the shower was going to be. I told them it wasn’t necessary and I ended up just washing my hair under cold water for 2 days.
The neighborhood where they lived is one I would not go out in alone and the building was dark and very run down. In fact, if you weren’t fast enough on the elevator, the doors would close and you’d be in complete darkness before you could press the button for your floor. The apartment was much nicer and spotless.
The mother, Enkhtuya, is the principal of the school the Fulbright group visited, School No. 46, and I hope to keep a connection with her school and teachers. I promised to send books in English, as these are very scarce in Mongolia, so if anyone has some they’d like to donate send them my way!
The family was a perfect match for me. Others went to karaoke or dancing with their families. We talked for hours. How, you may ask? After sharing photos, making hand gestures, acting out, drawing pictures, and some translation – our connection was made. Traveling is often about the people you meet and I’m so fortunate to have met this family!
