Mongolia Blogppisodes #8

Last day in Mongolia!

We had breakfast in a different room this time! Am really going to miss the food and hospitality here! :((

Donuts, Sushi and Vegetable soup again!

We left for the airport after breakfast! Turns out that we are taking the same flight as the students from New Mexico to Beijing!! Yay! The bus ride to the airport was long so I had an awesome good nap!

The moment of truth. We had to say goodbye to the 3 most important people that gave a lot to us during our stay here. Christine, Uka and Alto. Everyone was hugging and tearing at the airport. We've only known them for 7 days but our connection with them was already very strong. Am really really going to miss them. It saddens me to think that we are (most probably) never going to see them again. I am sad but thankful that Tuya couldn't make it as if she did, then there would be even more tears.

The 4 of them treated us like family ever since we met them at the airport when we first arrived. They stuck with us for the entire 7 days from morning till late at night, arranged meetings and tours for us, transport, food, checked on us, calmed us(or me) down when we (I) were (was) so stressed with the lighting. I couldn't be more thankful to them. Hope that I will be able to be the one taking care of them in the future if/when they come down to Singapore! ;) Didnt manage to get a Solo pic with Alto! :(

Uka!

Christine!!

After checking in, some of us had coffee and foood!! Was really cheap and good! I had the Vanilla Latte and we all shared Pizzas and a slice of Mongolian Cheesecake! ;)

The first plane ride was scary. The turbulence was crazy! But the view was good as it was very very cloudy!! And the best part is that I had a window seat!

Cloudss!

The food was good too! Chicken rice with Apple Juicee!!! Love me some tomatoes and cucumbers!

The custom in Beijing was so crowded that we almost missed our flight!! Had to bid farewell to the peeps from New Mexico! They were a cool bunch!! The second flight was much smoother. Slept almost 3/4 of the ride home! The food was good too! Finally had Seafood and fruits again!!

Touch down! Landed safely in Singapore! Am so thankful for my friends that came all the way down to pick us up! Ended up leaving the airport at 1145!!

Came home and met my family after a week! Missed them so much! And PEBBLES!! Finaallly got to see my dog.

Today, I've learnt that goodbyes are never easy. I didn't think that I would feel that sad when saying goodbye to the 4 people in charge. Didn't see that coming; but it came. This leads back to my previous reflection yesterday. The one about treasuring friendship.

My aim is to bring the Mongolian culture into my family. The way the treat people, the way they do things and the way they see things and problems. Don't take people for granted. Always cherish the ones you love. This has been a fruitful trip and I will definitely remember every second of it. Till next time Mongolia!

I'll miss you Mongolia!

Ba-at La-lai!

- Rino

Mongolia Blogppisodes #7

Day 7 in Mongolia!

Started the day with Breakfast as usual! Second last breakfast for this trip! Had the Sushi and the donut again!!

Some of us left to go cycling while the others went for a day tour at the countryside. I went cycling at Mongolia's National Park. I absolutely loved it.  I fell in love from the minute I stepped out of the taxi. The scenery was beautiful. Mountains around us, birds soaring high above and trees and greenery everywhere! And not to mention the breeze. So good.

Look at that!

I met this cute baby!!!!!!! His laughter was contagious! 

We had lunch at this restaurant nearby! Finally something a little spicy!

We went to the Black market after lunch. Bought many things there!! Bought a pair of shoes, sunglasses and a blue Adidas sweatpants! They were all so cheap!!!

After that, we came back to the dorm. Most of them left to Burger King for dinner. I was really sleepy so I stayed behind. I packed up my stuff and went for a nice shower. It was really quiet as most of the other students have left!

After showering, since no one else was around, we decided to go for a LONG walk! We walked all the way to the other end of the city and back! We left at 8 and reached back at about 930! Was really chilly!!

Bye Mongolia! Will remember this forever!!

Found out that one of the person in charge of us, Tuya, won't be sending us to the airport tomorrow! Really really sad! :(

Bye Tuya!

Am really sad that our last day has ended. Am going to miss the people here so much.
  
I've learnt that we should treasure friendships while they last. Seeing Tuya cryin as we gave her hugs made me feel really sad too. Oh well!!

- Rino 

Mongolia Blogppisodes #6

Day 6 in Mongolia!

Started the day with breakfast and guess what?! They had sushi!! I'm not a Sushi kind of guy so I only took 2 but can I just say that it was not bad!! Was really tasty!! ;) They also had the donut fritters that we also had from yesterdays lunch!;)

After Breakfast, we went to a hill to "hike". Not really hiking as it was just about 200 steps up! But the view was amazing! Simply stunning. Could see the entire Ulaanbaatar landscape. The breeze was really cooling and strong too. Took many great pictures there! Sadly, we had to leave quickly as we had another event!

With Miss Grace!!

I find it a joy to sleep in every bus ride we have. So satisfying as I fall asleep just like that! Really comfortable!

We rushed back and changed into our Traditional costumes, then headed back back to the University for lunch. Everyone looked beautiful!!

We took a group picture with everyone involved in ATEC.

Everyone!!

With the people from Japan! Why am I dressed as a Malay? I dont know too!

We then left for a street festival! We are really lucky as the street festival only happens twice a year! Thankfully the date fell during the week that we are here!

We were once again treated like royalty. Walked down a lane with people cheering for us and clapping by the sides with our country's flag being waved! I love the street festival as everyone was so happy and hyper! Very "homely" feel. ;) There were many performances, game stalls and food stalls as well!!

One of the performances!

After the street festival, we went shopping! Bought key-chains for my family as we love collecting key-chains! ;) We then headed back for the awards and closing ceremony for ATEC. We won a special prize from the Shakespeare Association of Mongolia! Better than nothing! And it's a special prize so all the more better!! I strongly feel that what we did really represented our culture and tradition in Singapore. Maybe the Jury didn't understand it as they didn't stay for the discussion and didn't know our culture and the reasons for doing what we did. But on the bright side, there's always a next time!! We don't need to win to be winners! ;)

We had to give a 3 minute performance during the closing ceremony. So, we sang "Home" to represent Singapore! Was really heartwarming to see many MANY people in the Audience waving their arms and smiling during our performance.

This is Home!

Christine told us that many people enjoyed our performance as it was a really nice and meaningful song. #ThankYouKitChan

We had dinner and it was really good. Didnt manage to take a picture though :( I especially love their "Chicken over bacon over pork" dish. Was really goood!!!! Had second servings!

We were really full so some of us decided to go for a walk. Was a wonderful weather to take a walk!

The most amazing thing happened. I met the lady from the plane ride! From the flight from Beijing to Mongolia (Where I sat alone). I wrote it in my Mongolia Blogppisodes #2 entry! Was so happy to see her! What a small world! She said that she was doing well! And I managed to get a picture with her this time!!! ;)

Was so tired that all I wanted to do was to shower and sleep! :/ Went back to my dorm, took a nice warm shower and just r e l a x e d! I went down to meet the Japanese peeps as they were leaving first thing in the morning! Had a good chat, took a picture and said our goodbyes! :( Going to miss them!! :((

Bye bye friends!!

Today, I've learnt that you don't need to be a winner to win. After we found out that we only won that one award and nothing more, I met Ms Grace and gave her a long and warm hug. I could feel her sadness diffusing into the air. Could tell that she was really disappointed. I was really really disappointed too. But the fact that we took part in ATEC (and I'm Year 1), flew all the way to Mongolia, made many new friends, created many memories, were treated really well, had FUN and bonded with both teachers and friends, already makes us winners. We don't need an award to prove that we are winners! ;)

- Rino