We had our annual International School of Ulaanbaatar (ISU) staff party at a local restaurant downtown. Wow! Not at all like the boring staff parties we are used to in the states. Big dance floor with special effects, big sound sound system, great dj's, and vodka, dancing, more vodka, more dancing, and lots more vodka and dancing. Jim was a reluctant competitor for Mr ISU and didn't win, but his table partner in the contest ( a local TA) won Miss ISU. Did we mention that there was some vodka involved and lots of dancing? There were many incriminating pictures taken as the night grew later and later. Here is one of the few shots we can share without risking some kind of lawsuit!
Who needs to be named Mr ISU, when you have friends in high places? Nothing like being on the Prime Minister's personal Christmas card list! (Bobby, maybe this will convince Zella to visit!)
Your Christmas cards are coming, but they are taking longer than usual to mail. Not because the mail system is slow, here (although that is true). But, because the stamps are so beautiful, it is hard to choose which ones to use! We have met some local artists and we love this style... traditional Mongolia script is combined with calligraphy, with spectacular results. It is wonderful to see their talents recognized by the government in these stamps. Maybe they, too, will find their way onto the prime minister's Christmas card list!
On our way to Kenya, during the Christmas break, we will visit Tiananmen Square and a couple of palaces in Beijing. We'll see airports (and more?) in India, and Ethiopia on our way to Kenya. We'll hook up with Chris in Ethiopia, on his way from London and then Anna will be waiting for us in Nairobi. Christmas will be at Anna's house in Nairobi. Then we head east, to a week at the beach on the Indian Ocean, followed by a trek west, and a week around Lake Victoria. On the way back to UB, we'll spend a whole day on the Great Wall!
Hmmm, Jim opened a fortune cookie in Bellingham, last summer. Maybe there is something to them. Here it is...
Happy Holidays!!!
