Just another amazing Monday! I began the day with a meeting with the President of the University in his spacious office. Then, I headed to the Black Market with my friend, Amaraa.

Wooden saddles, some unadorned and some decorated. The furniture for gers. Lots of silk material.

Leather boots are works of art.

We went on a picnic! Many colleagues (who are still in town) went just outside UB to a beautiful site to enjoy a relaxing day by the Tuul River.

It is a swiftly flowing river, providing music, as well as a refreshing treat for the toes.

We started with sausage and pickle sandwiches, along with chips and other goodies. This was followed by hot milk tea (brewed on site) along with a buttery / creamy spread made from the best milk, and soft and delicious bread.

The men did the heavy cooking. First, we had meat, potatoes and onions that were cooked using hot rocks. The rocks then were brought to us to quickly flip back and forth (they were really hot) from one hand to another - this is for our health.

This was followed by a round of delicious BBQ, kebab-like meat on skewers.

On the way back we stopped at the Mongolia Hotel, an impressive compound of hotel, gers, lots of space - right down to the beach and river. In the lobby is are statues of the Khans, and a tableau of a battle.

Enkhtsetseg and me.

These men are practicing for Naadam - they are wrestlers.

My friend and colleague, Nara, invited me to spend a long weekend in her family's home in the countryside. So, I took off by train with three of her children - the far three in the picture.

Bilguun settles in the upper berth for the 10 hour ride.

Some scenes along the way...beautiful vistas, practicing for Naadam, stacks of hay in case of a tough winter.

From Nara's backyard, one can see both the Russian checkpoint (we are right on the border) off the green side of the house, and the Mongolian checkpoint off the yellow side of the house.

Altanbulag is named for this water source. The Golden Fountain provides the water for all 5,000 citizens. Here we are getting our day's water.

Nara and Rumeysa attempted to teach me to make butz, the most famous traditional Mongolian food - they are very good steamed dumplings.

Master butz makers!

We traveled to the Mother Tree, a shrine of sorts where many Mongolians come to pray. The original tree fell a few years back and a new one is beginning, but the old one is still revered. Offerings of incense, milk, grain, and the wall of Mongolian tea bricks as well as hundreds of khadags (scarves) abound.

We happened upon a shaman ceremony. We weren't allowed to get closer, but the shaman is on the left, beating a drum and making contact with the spirits.

The next day, we headed for Gun Nuur - the deep lake.

The camel was hiding, but we spotted him.

Then to a beautiful and refreshing river.

Mongolians, including our little Mishka, love their meat!