Lunch with the Ambassador

My Counterpart Muhkbaatar and I recently had the opportunity to have lunch with US Ambassador to Mongolia, Piper Anne Wind Campbell. Madame Ambassador was recently sworn in on August 6, 2012. She was a pleasure to meet and I enjoyed our conversation. She's a native of Buffalo,NY so we had quite a bit to talk about since I'm from nearby Rochester.

From left to right: (Seated) Peace Corps Mongolia Country Director, Darlene Grant, US Ambassador to Mongolia Piper Anne Wind Campbell, PCV Eva Riddick. (Standing directly behind me) HCA Counterpart Muhkbaatar Choijamts.

Muhkbaatar, Madame Ambassador and I.

Tsagaan Sar 2013

Customary Greeting  "Zolgokh"

Tsagaan Sar or "White Month," is the Mongolian New Year based on the Lunar Calender. The date of Tsagaan sar, depends on the phases of the moon, and falls anywhere between the end of January and early March. The Calender uses a 12 base system, with the century consisting of 12 years, the year, of 12 months, and the day, of 12 hours. The years bear the names of animals (Mouse, Cow, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey. Rooster, Dog, and Pig). The Mongolian people judge the coming year by the animal name it bears. This year marked the Year of the snake. 

In towns and cities, Tsagaan Sar is celebrated for 1-3 days, in the countryside the festivities continue for about a week, sometimes until the end of February. Guest are free to come and go as they please at any time of the day. Upon arrival the guest greets the host family with the traditional ritual of "Zolgokh," which is when the eldest is first greeted by the youngest. The older person puts his or her hands palms down on the hands of the younger one and both exchange traditional well wishes and rub cheeks. The Mongolian traditional kiss is a smell on either side of the face. Families serve guest with plenty of meals:buzz/bansh (meat dumplings), salads, milk tea etc. After which families give a small gift to guest, which is typically a cue to leave. 

I had the pleasure of visiting many homes this year. I've included some pictures below of our time together. I hope you enjoy them :)

A typical table setting

Jargal, her husband and I in traditional Mongolian attire.

My supervisor Deorge in the pink deel and his wife Tungaa in the blue, at their home.

From Left to Right: JCS missionaries Magda (The Netherlands), Byron and Sondra (USA), Me and Vivian (Australia).

Us again with Urangoo.