Fine Lookin' Fellows

This is my crew! In the back (left to right) there is Munko and Olambayar, our maintenance guys, and Sansar, the newest addition who has begun researching cultural traditions related to funerals and death (tough first job!). In the front we have Dawaa in the middle, my "right-hand man" and good friend, and then Saihnaa and Gerlay on the ends, who have driven three water wells and will begin implementing the slow-sand filters they've constructed next week. Right now, though, we are all dressed up and ready to welcome the new Mongolian year. Happy Tsagaan Sar!

The Big City

Relaxing AND stressful. What a pleasure to stay in a nice highrise, surrounded by an assortment of restaurants and cable TV, for a few days. And yet, the traffic and chaotic errands add heaps of frustration. But best of all we were able to visit Bayasaa again. We continue to hope and pray that the final committee will approve us in the next couple weeks...