Bite me!

Camel Jockey

Rode a camel today. They are less skitish than horses and the humps make it easier to stay put (usually). However, they are ill suited to the male anatomy and the chaffing factor is significant. I'll stick to mountain bikes from now on :-)

Stef.

Bokhe

Bokhe, or wrestling, is the national sport of Mongolia. The guys wrestle on their lunch breaks, before dinner, during work etc... Pretty much like other people go for coffee. Goes without saying, they are pretty damn good at it.

The rules are simple, the first guy to touch the ground with a body part other than their feet or palms, is the loser. Grabbing, sweeping kicks, throws are all fair game.

For my first match, I challenged Batuchen, who, unbeknownst to me is the camp "lion" or undefeated champion. I think he let me stay on my feet for three minutes as a courtesy.

Gobi 2

More pictures from Ulaan Bataar and the drive across the gobi.

Gobi

Wow, I made it. Arrived in UB last night and did battle with customs, baggage scrum, taxi drivers etc.. and made to the hotel just after mignight local time (just after lunch, Fredericton time). A driver picked me up this morning and we left UB for the Gobi. It was about an 8 hour drive (no pavement)across the desert. I can't begin to describe what an amazing place this is. Camels, nomads, herd of wild horses etc..

Anyway, looking forward to getting set up in my ger and getting a good night's sleep.

Cheers,

Stef.

So I have made it to Seoul, or at least I think I am in Seoul. Could be Japan for all I know, as I am functionally illiterate here. So far it has been pretty easy to get around however, all the airport staff speak passable English (much better than my Korean anyway!) and are very friendly.

I may or may not make it UB tonight. The flight may be delayed or cancelled due to a sandstorm. I'll find out in a few hours.

Incheon airport is huge. I mean really huge. It makes Pearson International look like a third world bus-stop. There are more stores and shoppping than any mall I have ever been in (Rob, there is a North Face outlet). There was parade in here a few minutes ago, flowered floats, guys on stilts etc..

Other things about Korea, gleaned from my hour in the airport:

- Green tea tastes entirely different than the superstore brand (I think all of Korea must have it wrong)

- Internet is very cheap.

- Green tea is not.

- All lineups involve shoving, elbows, and jockeying for position. However, by local standards, I am a large man and thus not easilly shoved.

Having a great time so far. I'll update again from Mongolia as soon as I can.

Cheers,

Stef.

Tree house

Built this treehouse for Erika and Rowan, with help from the boys next door. Leaving for Seoul tomorow.

Stef.

Erika's Pictures

What do all these photographs have in common? They were taken by my five year old niece, who just happens to be a photographic genius. Seriously, Ansel Adams, Karsh, don't quit your day jobs..

Done

So I finished (for now) my thesis yesterday. Felt good to print the thing out and see the complete document in one place. Also, I should point out, it is at least 50 pages longer than Michelles thesis (Not that serious academic work is judged something so trivial as size, I was just making the observation...no really, it doesn't matter at all that mine is 56 pages and 5432 words longer..).

This would not have been possible without Mal running my life for me the last few months. Most days I just stumbled out of bed and over the computer. Mal made sure that food would appear, bills would get paid, dishes would get done etc..Everyone once an while she'd remind me to shower. Thanks Mal!

Anyway, I am leaving to Vancouver tomorrow and then onto Ulan Batar via Seoul on Wednesday. So hopefully I'll have some interesting pictures to post, and you won't have to read this drivel anymore.

Cheers,

Stef

Dr. Boast, with cow,

Well, Michelle, now Dr. Boast, successfully defended her PhD today, and did a great job of it. I am insanely jealous. Mich and I started at the the same time and she overwhelming beat me to the finish line. In a strange kind of symmetry however, I typed the last sentence of the last chapter about three minutes before her defense started. Still lots to do but I'll' be printing the bastard out tomorrow. 2.5 day until left until Mongolia, suppose I should start packing.

Mad Cow

This is Michelle and her cow. They are both back from England (despite the ban on British beef) which makes Mal and I happy.

Information super-highway

Trying out this blogging business. Hopefully I'll be able to update from Mongolia..