I spent my very first 10 weeks in Mongolia in a mining town in the north with a awesome host family. Most volunteers had “host parents” who were about the age of their real parents, but my host mom and dad were my age which made for a lot of fun. Zolzaya was (and still is) an English teacher in the local school, and Baba was a heavy machinery driver at the local mine. They lived in a sparsely furnished two room apartment with their super cute 2 year old daughter Oyundar.

Baby Oyundar

Baba and Zoloo were the first to speak Mongolian with me, even though I was horrible at it, and they introduced me to Mongolian songs, games, food, and just life in general. It was a wonderful summer and I couldn’t have asked for a better family.

The four of us in 2002

This past weekend I went back to visit them (I have visited several times in the meantime but not for a few years). Sadly Baba was at work, and I didn’t get to see him. He no longer works at the local mine but instead has a much more lucrative job at a coal mine in the southwest Gobi. His and Zoloo’s hard work, though, was definitely present. A few years ago they sold their apartment and bought another with 3 bedrooms which they have decorated very nicely. They also own a car and a store which I think regardless of qualms you might have about Mongolia’s mining boom is a testament to how it has improved the lives of many in the middle class.

We made pizza and pudding, and drank red wine while watching sappy Korean soap operas. We were entertained by the newest addition to the family, Togoldor, age four, and looked at pictures with Zoloo’s indefatigable 80 year old father who only just recently retired from driving the employee bus at the local mine. I feel very lucky to still have them in my life.

Zoloo in her classroom which was also the room I learned my first Mongolian words in.

Nothing better than morning cartoons with your big sister.

Looking at pictures with Oyundar, Togo, and Grandpa.

Man I wish I had had a swing in my house when I was a kid.

The four of us in 2013 minus Baba.