Travel with Tanya

I never imagined I'd set foot in Mongolia. Truth be told, I barely knew it existed four years ago. But I recently found myself on a short journey there that would change my heart forever.

I am currently in my third year of teaching English in China with ELIC. Last year I had the privilege of working as a mobilizer in the stateside office. During that year I helped two women prepare to go and teach in Mongolia. I recently had the opportunity to visit these women and their teammates in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. I spent a week there, experiencing life in Mongolia and enjoying a much needed break from mine in China. Here's Kim welcoming me to her apartment!

When I arrived that December night it was -13 degrees! It was then that I had the first-time experience of having ice form on my eyelashes! The lowest it got while I was there was -22 degrees! I’ve never been more thankful for layers in my life!

I spent my first few days in Ulaanbaatar catching up on sleep and resting in Kim’s cozy little apartment.

A couple of times, I worked up enough courage to bundle up and go for a walk outside to take pictures. This is the view down the road and across the street from Kim’s apartment.

I loved all the furry Russian hats!

The blue pieces of cloth are often tied to high places because they are believed to be places of power (this one is tied onto a bridge). People tie them there with a wish or hope in mind.

I was struck by the contrast of the old gers and new modern buildings behind them.

I was in Mongolia over New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day, which happens to be one of their biggest holidays! On New Year’s Eve, Kim and I joined some other ELIC teachers in town for dinner and then went to Suhkbator Square at midnight to watch the fireworks! We had festive masks and our own personal sparklers!

Besides the good company and conversation with my friends there, my favorite activity during my visit was a drive we took through the countryside.

We met a shepherdess.

We saw a ridiculously large statue of Chingis Khan literally out in the middle of nowhere.

We sat on a stranger’s random horse. Here's Corrie loving every minute of it!

We even got to visit a traditional Mongolian family in their ger! The whole family of six lives in this small home. They served us Mongolian tea and let us sit inside with them for awhile.

The whole family: mom, dad, three kids, and grandma!

It was fun to watch how everyone helped out with daily chores.

By far, my favorite part about Mongolia was the people. I found them to be friendly and beautiful. What an amazing privilege my friends have to work and share their lives with these people!

The eyes of Mongolia's future.