2006 in retrospect: arrival in UB

as we got out of the airport, the cool summer breeze gave me a little chill despite the very sunny weather. it was already late summer.

we got on a toyota land cruiser. we were told that the trip going downtown would take about 20 minutes. inside the car, i started looking around - and truly, what can be bluer than mongolia's infinite stretch of blue skies? it was quite a contrast seeing the green steppes on a background of blue, so still and peaceful. we passed by small communities - with ger tents and wooden houses. ulaanbaatar was really dry and seemed dusty.

we went first to the program office where we met the accountant and who gave us our allowance for the month. we were asked if we wanted to leave our passports and other valuables, which the staff then recommended for security reasons. we were taken for a brief tour of the rooms and offices. the office was located in a three-floor building with a basement. there were also other foreign organizations who occupied.

we were treated to our first mongolian meal. it was in an english-named restaurant. i ordered a greek salad and fish. it was quite a lot. the fish came with rice and side salad as well. after lunch which was actually midafternoon already, we headed for the hostel where we will be staying for the next five weeks while doing our in country training.

the hostel was located near the state department store. it was right down in the city center. our flat was on the first floor. there were two rooms with double-deck beds, and i was the only man. i shared the room with three female volunteers - a french, a finnish, and an english. the other room had five (i think) ladies - one filipino, and four british. also everyone had just arrived earlier during the day. we got introduced to each other. my volunteer life in mongolia has just begun.