Festivus

If you’ve seen the Seinfeld episode you’ll remember that Frank Costanza explains to Kramer that instead of celebrating Christmas he prefers a “Festivus for the rest of us” free from commercialization, pomp and pageantry. Festivus, he recalls, is threefold: 1) instead of a Christmas tree and tinsel, there is a single aluminum pole, 2) instead of expressing well wishes, there is an airing of grievances and 3) instead of opening gifts, there are feats of strength.

Inspired by Frank’s revolutionary holiday, we, the 13 or so PCVs, 1 German volunteer and 1 VSO volunteer, decided to have our own New Years Festivus celebration. 3 apartments were chosen to host different legs of our moving Darkhan Festivus. Beginning at 3:00, at the first stop, we began with a feat of strength: drinking local "Kick-a-Poo" brand juice with pickles and eating tofu hushuur followed by taking a shot of vodka.

From there we walked to the market and hired 3 horse cart drivers to take us from one end of town to the other (a “tradition” begun last year). As we huddled together for warmth, drinking our homemade Kahlua, we were greeted with mixed Mongolian reactions, some yelling “Happy New Year!,” and most just staring dumbfounded.... It could just be that we were singing "Star Spangled Banner" instead of more traditional, jolly carols.

Cady and Peter after horse cart ride

When we reached our destination, stop number two, we watched, for collective edification, the aforementioned Seinfeld episode. Afterwards, we were treated to an edible multi-faceted diorama of food representing many of Mongolia’s local "intricacies" as "witnessed" by the present company. When the picture had been consumed we moved into the next feat of strength: leg wrestling. There were many rounds, many winners and a lot of laughing. Equally hilarious was the airing of grievances that followed. On a sheet of paper we each wrote those things which had grieved us in the past year. Needless to say, most of what everyone wrote down was seconded by the confirming fits of laughter among the others in the room. It was decided, after reading every grievance, that the leaves of paper should be set ablaze.

Melinda explains the edible picture

Kevin and Peter Leg Wrestle

This one's for you, Grandpa!

So, by foot or taxi we all moved to our final location where our first act of business (if you don’t count the pizza that I and a few others wolfed down before everyone had arrived) was to burn our grievances. With the grill a cookin’, we fried the brats a friend had brought back from Germany, ate pizza and ravioli and drank homemade piña coladas and Kahlua, vodka and beer. And with the empty beer cans we were finally able to construct the last component of Festivus – the aluminum pole. We hung out, drank, made balloon animals and toilet seats, and performed the final feat of strength: wall squats. We rang in the New Year standing around the Festivus pole. With drinks in hand and music filling the room we began 2008 with a dance party.

Cady about to "drop the ball" just seconds before the strike of midnight

Ahh, Festivus...

First picture of 2008!

Gold's Gym Mongolia

2 days ago I joined one of Mongolia’s few workout facilities, a small room in a building near the market near Cady’s office, about a 15 minute run from our apartment.

3 days ago I ran to the gym intending to “join.” When I arrived, however, the door in the front lobby leading to the stairway leading to the gym on the 3^rd floor was locked. I was told by the jijuur that I would have to wait 40 minutes until the gym opened at 5:00 p.m. Okay, whatever. So I ran the 3-story steps leading up the back side of the building. I was getting bored after awhile so I went back to the lobby to check the time. 4:40. The jijuur was gone. I sat down on the lone bench. I waited for another 10 minutes. As my impatience was growing thin, a man in full camouflage gear walked passed me, a guy who clearly looked like he worked out. So I followed him. This time the door leading to the hallway was open. A good sign. As I reached the second landing, G. I. Dorj flew down passed me. He looked annoyed. Why? When I reached the gym I discovered why. The room where the equipment had once been (as I had once been there to check it out) was completely empty. I called Cady. She didn’t know why. I called Cady’s translator, a member of the gym. She said: “Tomorrow gym will be open 1 to 8. New Year’s party was there. Maybe tomorrow you will come back.” I ran home.

2 days ago I ran to the gym intending to “join.” This time I arrived well after the jijuur’s suggested opening time, covering all bases. When I reached the gym the equipment was still gone. In a nearby room, however, I heard voices. Inside I saw the owner (one of Cady’s CHF clients), her assistant, two young men and all of the exercise equipment. In Mongolian I asked if they needed help moving everything back into the bigger room. Yes, she said. And so began my 15, 000 per month T membership, carrying dumbbells, straight bars, plates, benches and carpets. By 6:30, I had started my workout.

Yesterday I ran to the gym. I worked out.

Tomorrow I will run to the gym…

High Above IST

Taking advantage of the great hiking and climbing, Jacob and I took it upon ourselves to explore the mountains around our IST (Peace Corps conference in mid-December) site. It was one of my favorite days since coming to Mongolia.

Jacob and Peter

A herder overlooking the valley below, the mountains in the distance

Just before our descent, a picture-perfect sunset

Going Home Again (Visit to Sukhbaatar)

Just after IST, a Peace Corps conference held just outside of UB, Jacob, Dwan, Cassandra and I visited our host site. We went by each home and even saw our Mongolian teachers. Below are a few pictures from the trip:

Peter at sunset

Peter's Eej, Aav, and Doo

Dwan, Peter, Cassandra, Tsetsgee (Our LCF), and Jacob