The last entry

Well the time has come to say goodbye, for all our family. We prepare to head back to the US next Wednesday and though we will spend a couple days in Beijing living it up I do not expect we will have time to write to you all to tell you about it. That will have to wait until we can see you in the states. However, over the past couple days as I have met with the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, World Health Organization, American Center for Mongolian Studies, Peace Corps volunteers and the asst. director of the Mongolian Center for Health Development, where I am working, I am left with a feeling of immense responsibility. Nowhere is the mix of local understanding, intnerational funding and human capacity merged in Mongolia. In fact, the WHO directors were asking for my help in writing of the national application for the US Millenium Challenge Grant. They said they are afraid the American's coming here to write "Mongolia's" health sector application for funds will focus on urban needs and improving the technical capacity of treating the most advanced needs (to the richest patients) to keep them from going to Beijing for treatment. This is not what the coutry needs and though everyone knows that they appear helpless to stop it. So the real work will being now. I debate over whether to write this paper out of the goodness of my heart, knowing the time I would put in would go unappreciated and that I have ignored my family already all summer. Well, cest la vie, we will see. Take care y'all and for those who now have an overwhelming desire to know what is going on in Mongolia here is a great link to new site which will keep you up to date. See you back in the states, Bayartai Mongolia!:
http://www.moninfo.org/

Tugsu's trip to the Bogd Mountain

Well, once again Tugsu went off somewhere without me. This time last Saturday as I had meetings and recovered from my stomach ailment (Giardia) she went to the sacred mountian of Mongolia, Bogd Uul. It is close to Ulaanbaatar and a cool place, here is some info on it:
BOGD KHAN MOUNTAIN: This mountain is the world's oldest official protected area. In 1778, the Emperor of Manchur passed resolutions to formalize the sacred values of the Bogd Khan Mountain and provide for official protection of the site. On the south side of the protected area, monks have begun the process of rebuilding the Monastery Manzushiry. Established in 1750, the monastery housed more than 350 monks and 20 temples, including schools of medicine, astrology, and philosophy, before it was destroyed in the 1930's. Numerous archaeological sites have been discovered in the preserve, including cave paintings that archaeologists date to three thousand years ago.
However, it is quite a climb, at 2,268 meters above sea level and from where they left the altitude gain to the summit is 1727 feet. However, she was able to complete this climb with Amina and the help of some of her workmates at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Yes, they made it to the top and enjoyed a wondeful view I'm sure, though from this picture I am not sure what Amina is looking at. Bilguun, Amina's ever present nanny came along too and had a great time I am told. Along the way there were beautiful wildflowers and a nice picnic lunch.

The history of the place is amazing as well as the view. Not a bad trip altogether I am sure. However, when they got back Tugsu was tired and grumpy, a stark contrast to those younger roommates, Amina and Bilguun. My work continues to progress here and my meetings with the BioRegions director and people from the conference were very promising. We wish everyone the best in that heat back in the US and hope your air conditioing holds out. Bye