A Little About Myself
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My host family during training |
As you all probably know by now, I am a current Peace Corps Volunteer working as an English teacher in Mongolia. Originally from Cincinnati, I am at the midway point of my service, and look forward to the second year being even better than the already incredible first year. A year ago, I had no idea what to expect. I remember trying to make the decision whether to attend law school or to come here, (and while I still look forward to school with anticipation) there is absolutely nothing that could substitute for this experience and journey. Everyone, my school especially, has shown me the hospitality that I hope to carry on with me for the rest of my life. And at the top of that list are the sports teachers, and that's what makes my participation in their project so meaningful.
Beyond school and the project however, one of the most rewarding experiences has been my relationship with Sabit, my host 'dad' (even though he's only a few years older than me). And his greatest passion has inevitable taken root in me as well: fishing (although only by default since I haven't seen a golf course, nor grass for that matter, in over a year).
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400 fish in 3 days |
We have been to countless lakes and rivers all over Bayan-Olgii. While sometimes the amount of times our jeep gets stuck in snow outnumbers the fish we caught, it is nonetheless indescribable to be on a lake in Mongolia and pull out fish longer than your arm. Peaceful can't give the countryside justice here - and the images I have been so blessed to see will never be forgotten.
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5 fish in 2 days (dug out the jeep 15 times) |
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Tsengel Soum - about 2 hours south of Olgii |
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| Fishing by the Chinese border |
But what I miss most from home are sports (it was a rough week being away from home with the Reds finally won their first division title in 15 years - Bengals..... not so much) - and food - you will never appreciate how much you love your favorite foods until they are unavailable..... and I often dream about the cheese and deli meat counter back home.
I just have to thank everyone back home for all of their support - I wouldn't still be here without it - especially my family. I couldn't do this without you and will never be able to thank you enough!
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| My sister's wedding that I missed being here.... you'll notice my grandma holding me on a stick |
Living in Mongolia
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| Home Sweet Home |
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| The view from the 'Bathroom' |
I basically live in a 'studio' house - a small one room house that doesn't have running water.
And you will notice the stove in the far corner - that is also the heating source for the harsh winters. Thankfully, I am one of the luckier volunteers who have access to wood and coal - which has become a very love/hate relationship
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| My coal room - where I spend way too much time in the winter |
Building fires becomes one of the largest (and most time consuming) parts of your life in Mongolia in the winter (it remains below freezing for almost 7 months - with temperatures reaching as low as -40 degrees, which oddly enough, is where Fahrenheit and Celsius meet).
