Gobi Half-Marathon - September

Will I run 21km in the Gobi desert? Yeah, why not?!

Most people would think about undertaking some form of training before running a half-marathon. Some would think about doing more training before running it in the Gobi. Between working and drinking, the time before the race passed me by, and I was forced to fall back on ignorance to get me through (as with most things in life!).

A group of us went down to the Gobi, four of us running the race - the rest came along for the trip and to cheer us on/laugh as we collapsed in the sand. This was my second trip to the Gobi, and I relished the opportunity to camp beneath the stars again. We took four days in total, drining most of the way down on the Friday and returning on the Monday.

The race itself took place by the Flaming Cliffs at Bayan Zag - a wonderful point to finish at. The race started at 11.30am in 25*C. The start of the race was soft underfoot, but not too strenuous. After 10km, however, there was a 5km loop which was on sand and uphill. It was torturous! I walked most of this stretch. The end of the race was a climb uphill to the top of the cliffs, the scenery almost making up for the difficulty.

I somehow managed to finish 4th in the race, in a time of 2hrs 29mins, beating (albeit a slightly old...) US marine in the process. I felt great as I passed the finish line, but the lack of training told in the following days as I sported a variety of funny walks from John Wayne to Charlie Chapman!

One Year Working in Mongolia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I began my placement here (after the initial In Country Training) exactly one year ago today. A whole year of working in Mongolia! (Coincidentally, I believe I started my first job in the voluntary sector on the 8th September!)

It's interesting looking back on the work and things I have been involved in. I remember itching to start work after three weeks of ICT - living in the guesthouse, Mongolian lessons that bamboozled me, and some rather boring sessions at VSO! And then work started, sloooowly!!! It is interesting to see new volunteers experiencing the same thing: wanting to get stuck in have an immediate impact, but then finding that it can take many months to get to that position. It takes time to get to know the organisation, the people you work with, find all the information you need, adapt to the way of working etc. But it does happen.

I have worked with Chingletei District Health Unit in UB, Darkhan Health Department, and Dornod Health Department. I have been involved in delivering training about working with volunteers to all doctors and nurses who work in the family group practices in both Chingletei and Darkhan (over 180 people). I have also delivered volunteer management training to all supervisors in the family group practices in Darkhan and Chingletei. I have worked with the project managers in the three areas to help them improve their skills and develop the projects. I helped Nyamka, my counterpart in Chingletei, to learn English. This enabled him to attend a Volunteer Project Management course in the Philipines, run by VSO. I am now chairing the Volunteer Committee here (I was volunteered for the position rather than volunteering myself!). Myself and Nina, another VSO volunteer, began the Volunteer Interpreters Project - working with student interpreters who could develop their English and interpreting skills and experience while providing a service for VSO volunteers. I have just completed a report on the first year of the project and the volunteers have given over 700 hours of their time and supported 12 VSO volunteers. One of the interpreters has also acheived paid work as an interpreter with VSO. This project may now be duplicated in other locations in Mongolia where VSO volunteers are based.

Looking back, I am pleased with the work I've been involved in and the things I've achieved but I am glad my placement is for two years. I feel I am now in a position to have more of an impact than I was able to in the first year. Roll on year 2!!!!

Gobi Tour - July 2009

Mongol Els

Erdene Zuu Khid

Khongoryn Els

Yolin Am Canyons

Flaming Cliffs

Other Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/chris.guinness

Naadam

From 10-12 July was the Naadam festival – which centres around the three 'manly' sports of archery, horse riding and wrestling. In UB each sport is held at a different venue. A group of us went out to the horse racing venue on the Saturday and camped overnight. We camped on a hill overlooking the course.

In the evening there was a string of horses on the brow of the hill standing in silhouette – truly beautiful.

The horse racing the next day was pure chaos. There was a line of stands on one side of the track by the finish line. In front of this was a line of police officers, who (at this point!) were extremely friendly, chatting with the crowd and taking photos for people. As the finish approached, it got busier and busier, people climbing over each-other to get a view. I was concerned that I would pulled off the stand or it would tip over. After the race, part of the crowd rushed the course to touch the winning and fast horses. This is when the police turned – anyone who crossed that line were asking for it!!! Before the race we saw them carrying what we thought were torches – which made no sense at all. After the race we discovered that they were not torches – they were tazars, and they enjoyed using them!

My parents arrived the next day on the trans-Siberian railway. I took them to the trainers’ Naadam (a mini festival for those working during the weekend and unable to enjoy the festival). The horse-racing, archery and wrestling were all in the same place. It was a much more relaxed and enjoyable affair.

Wrestling

Dad trying archery

Mum building a ger

Dudes on horses

More pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/chris.guinness

Something Interesting in Choibalsan! Communist Era Brickwork

Buildings in Choibalsan sport communist era designs and writing built into the brickwork. One of the schools has several walls decorated with many images, while the side of an aprtment block celebrates a Soviet space programme from 1981.

More photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/chris.guinness