Living On Purpose: June 2013

Me, Bolormaa and Leah

Hey guys! Summer is finally here (cue DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's Summertime) and boy have I been busy. I know its been a while since my last post so here we go. My plans for this summer were initially up in the air until around late March when my application was approved to be a PST (Pre-Service Training) health sector technical trainer. I was and still am thrilled at the opportunity to work in close collaboration with the PC staff as well as the new trainees. PST for new volunteers is a time of new excitement and new beginnings. You're learning an interesting language, being equipped with sector specific skills and knowledge to thrive at site as well as living with a new family and forging new friendships with fellow PCT's (Peace Corps Trainees). My PST experience was an amazing time. I was blessed with a caring and supportive host family, enjoyed hands on opportunities to learn about Mongolian culture and while the language was a challenge for me at times, I eventually found my niche and its been nothing but smooth sailing since then. Our health sector technical team is comprised of three people including myself, Leah (M23 first half trainer) and Bolormaa who is our HCT (host country technical trainer). PST is 11 weeks and I'll take over after week 6 for Leah, while Bolormaa will remain on until the end of training. As a trainer I've been tasked to guide and mentor the new trainees (M24's) as they embark on this incredible journey that is PC Mongolia.

PST Staff 2013

Hiking in Darkhan

I left site on May 17th for TOT (Training of Trainers, you notice PC has a ton of acronyms) in Darkhan, a city four hours north of the capital. Training of trainers was an intense two weeks of practice facilitation, revising session outlines from previous years and becoming better acquainted with PST logistics and staff. TOT concluded on Friday May 30 and it was off to UB to welcome the new M24's (that is the 24th Peace Corps Group to serve in Mongolia). They had a late arrival and didn't get in til around 11:30pm, nevertheless we were still there patiently waiting to welcome them with open arms.

Welcome to Mongolia!

The 4th annual international UB Marathon/5k was held that Sunday morning after welcoming the M24's. We couldn't have asked for a better day to run, the weather was perfect. There was also a good turnout of PCV's, PC staff and US Embassy staff. The current marathon world record holder Patrick Makau of Kenya didn't compete but during the opening ceremony he was presented with an honorary medal said a few words and we were off to the races. I ran along side fellow PCV's and good friends Mari and Anna. Once again good times, great people and memories that I will cherish for years to come.

Anna, Me, Karen, and Mari

Me, US Ambassador Piper Ann Wind Campbell, Karen and Mari

Ronny, Anna, Me, Ambassador Campbell, Karen and Mari

Peking to Paris is a transcontinental car race that was occurring at the same time as the Marathon. Participants take cars no older than 1970 and drive from Peking, China to Paris, France. It started in 1917 and UB is a pit stop on the route. We had the pleasure of meeting an English couple who had competed in the competition the previous year and had also participated a similar tour in Africa and South America.

Peking to Paris

Meanwhile, the new KFC and Cinnabon (first international chain restaurants to open in Mongolia) were on my list of places to visit while I was in town. The KFC was unlike any KFC I'd ever been to, it was 2 stories and there were flat screen tv's everywhere, I should also add the wait to place an order was about 20 mins. The Cinnabon located in the heart of downtown UB wasn't as busy, lived up to my expectations and was relatively affordable on my Peace Corps Budget.

I had a couple of days in the city and then it was off to Dream Eco Camp in Batsumber Soum (village) two hours north of the city. I spent an incredible week at this picturesque youth camp. There was no cell phone reception or internet, but I did have the chance to watch game 5 of the NBA playoffs (Go Heat!!). The kids were a pleasure and while their English skills were impeccable (all of the students attended the Orchlon international school in UB and most had even lived in America or abroad at some point), myself along with two other PCV's assisted with life skills trainings. During our downtime we hiked and played basketball, volleyball and soccer with the kids. The serenity and peace I experienced at my time in Batsumber was priceless, I definitely look forward to going back next summer.

A two hour off road bus ride and we were back in UB. I competed in the 3rd annual Diplomatic Basketball tournament. It was an honor to represent the Embassy of the United States. Kuwait, Russia, Japan and branches of the Mongolian Ministry were also in attendance. Myself along with a few other volunteers participated, there was both a Men's and Women's team. We both took home the gold medal and a snazzy trophy. So that was my last hoorah before heading back to site. It was a hectic and adventurous start to my summer that I wouldn't trade for anything.