Christmas itself is not celebrated in Mongolia, but they do like their decorations (even if they do say 'Merry Christmas'). Sukhbaatar Square has a huge Christmas tree with a red star (some people just can't let go). The whole season is referred to a New Year and both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are holidays.
The 22nd, 23rd and 24th of December were taken with training - which was a relief as work had been frustratingly slow recently. We were training doctors and nurses who work with the health volunteers, trying to raise their awareness of volunteering, health promotion and the role of the volunteer. Each day something else went wrong, including:
Day 1: We could not show a presentation because of viruses, we only started with seven particpants, lunch didn't come until 2.30....
Day 2: No electricity (not great for powerpoint presentations and showing DVDs)
Day 3: Like training teenagers! You're meant to be adults for goodness sake. Aarghhh.
The training was held in the ger district, and boy, is it smoggy. Two of the days I decided to walk the venue. You can see where the ger district begins as the visibility drops considerably. By the time I reached the training venue, I reaked of smoke, and the effects of breathing in the smog made the first glass of water taste purely of smoke. It has to be said that there is something eerily beautiful about the sun rising through the smog, the smoke from a ger waving through an orange haze.The walk was also cold! (the colder the smoggier, as families burn more and more in their gers). The problem is the cheeks - wrapping a scarf around you face does little as your breath freezes in the scarf and you're soon holding ice to your face. I am pleased with the way I have adapted to the cold. It's certainly preferably to clouds and drizzle! The dry days, clear blue skies (not accounting for smog!) and sunshine really do make a difference.
Christmas itself was fairly quiet, a roast chicken (no chance of a turkey!) and a party with other volunteers in the evening. The highlight was quite possibly mozerella (amazing!) served by an Italian guy in a pig mask (just disturbing!).
More photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/chris.guinness
