I returned from Ulaan Baatar this afternoon. No, unfortunately, there will be no panoramic photos of the Mongolian steppes — as readers are probably aware, this wasn’t a tourist trip, and I didn’t really get a chance to get out of UB. I will write about my brief stay in Mongolia tomorrow, however, after the fatigue has worn off. I’ll say for now that my wife is holding up well, all things considered, and her family was extraordinarily welcoming. I just wish our first meeting could have been under happier circumstances. As for UB, it’s definitely a trip — a remarkably vibrant city sprouting amid some pretty spectacular post-Soviet decay. Koreans, in particular, might find UB particularly interesting, because it doesn’t take long to see that Korea is leaving a major economic and cultural imprint as the country awakes from the Brezhnev Era.
And while I’m here, let me take the opportunity to thank Hamel for holding down the fort here at the Marmot’s Hole with some outstanding posts, and you — the readers — for some excellent commentary in the threads accompanying Hamel’s pieces. Kamsa-hamnida.
6 Comments
Marmot, I was getting worried. I had the mary-jane mafia on my tail, dude. Thank heavens you and the missus are back. May I be the first to say, welcome back to your kingdom. Look forward to beers with you soon.
Cheers mate!
Missus is, unfortunately, still in Mongolia — she’ll be there until the 49-day mourning period is over. Luckily, her home is hooked up to central heating, because it was a warm -7 C when I touched down, and it got progressively colder. It’s a dry, windy cold, too. I have to say, though, her grandmother’s ger (yurt) was amazingly warm, and you couldn’t hear a thing through the sheepskins. Amazing piece of architecture, actually.
Good to know you’re back. Brought any Chingis Khan vodka? Should help for the mourning…
My thoughts are with you man…
I’d like to read more about your Mongolian trip. I’m especially looking forward to the South Korean influence you’ve seen over there. What types of South Korean imprints have you seen?
Sorry to have missed you, Marmot, before my departure from Seoul for Washington — where I’m spreading the Marmot word among Korea-watchers. Glad to hear Mrs Marmot is faring well under the circumstances.
All bests,
Paul
Sorry to have missed your departure, Paul — things got a little hectic. And thanks for helping propogate the Gospel According to Marmot
Hope you can make it back here one day so we can throw down a beer or two.