Today when we returned from the afternoon dog walk we found this graffiti on our fence. Interpreted into English it means “Sadie teacher, did you have a nice weekend?” I don’t know what out of control kid dared to write such a nice message in erasable chalk on my fence but I will find them if it is the last thing I do so I can thank them for brightening my day. 
We had a snow storm last week and the wind whipped the snow up into fantastic rivers across town.
Our town has installed flood lights in the various neighborhoods and the social worker who lives near us is in charge of turning the light on and off each night. I love the fact there is a light switch on the pole.
On Easter we got out our kites for the first time and had a lot of fun. Many days are actually too windy for kites but on the days when we have mild wind you could not ask for a better, and safer, place to fly your kite.
One of the many traditions the Mongolian school system has (or at least my school) is a day in the spring when the graduating class gets to be the teachers and the teachers are 11th grade students for a day. Students volunteer to teach all the classes or act as the school director or headmaster, and the teachers dress up in school uniforms-or to the American eye, French maid costumes. I thought we looked pretty cute honestly.
The day started off with the school being lead by the 11th graders in a rousing edition of the Mongolian national anthem.
The first class of the day for us teacher-students was English, which I can proudly, if not unfairly, say I was the best student in. We drew pictures of the fruit we most identify with and then learned fruit names in English. I was a strawberry since they are tasty, small, and not naturally found in the Gobi desert. My best 11th grade student Bolortsetseg was our teacher and she did a very good job.
After English we had gym where we played volleyball, and lastly we had Mongolian script. I definitely felt out of my element there!
In the evening the 11th graders put on a typical school party which alternates between group dances and games. The kids learn dances from a young age and seem to enjoy them a lot. Sometimes they even make the mistake of asking me to dance!
When they are not dancing, crazy games are played. The first game which I somehow got conned into with 3 other teachers was one where kleenex boxes were belted to our backs and then we had to dance around until the three ping pong balls in our box fell out. Needless to say, I didn’t win, but I did look very silly. The second game that was played was even crazier. One person from each class was volunteered and then had to race around to beg/borrow/steal a list of items from their classmates and then put them on. By the time the kids had each put on 2 jackets, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, a skirt, 5 rings, 2 watches, 3 pairs of shoes, a hat and 4 belts they were the size of the Michelin man and their classmates were in various stages of undress.
I donated my watch to one class, but I have to give props to the 60 year old elementary school teacher who graciously loaned the 10th grade her skirt. Now that is dedication to teaching!
It was a very fun day and I think the 11th graders enjoyed being in charge for once. I wish them lots of luck as they head off into the world next year.
About 3 kilometers northwest of Hanhongor is a small range of hills, of which at the base are the remains of an old Russian Army base. Built in the late 60s and intentionally destroyed by the Russians when they abandoned the site in the early 80s, it served as a listening station for Chinese communications. It was never very large, only about 30 people at any given time but it did boast housing, offices, an antenna, an underground storage depot, and a small store with Russian goods. Darkhuu remembers visiting the store with a Russian friend who worked at the school, as well as Russian soldiers coming into town in the evenings looking for alcohol. When the Russians left, they took must things and blew up the buildings, but there is enough left for some fun exploring. One does wonder though what those soldiers did wrong to be sent to an army base in the most desolate area of the most uninhabited country under Russian influence!
Brian heading out to the base on a recent walk
Santi exploring. Some of the remains are as they were after the explosion and some have been gathered up for scrap but never taken away.
Looking around you can guess where things were
as well as learn about what they ate and wore
The creepiest part of the base is the old storage depot (cave, really) that is in the base of the hills. I have never gone in but Brian and John went in once. Eak.
From the hills behind the base there are lovely views including what we call the painted hills of Hanhongor
and a nice view of Hanhongor
It is very restful on the top
