Some catching up...

The last two days were full of traditional culture. We got to go to the National Historical Museum where we saw traditional clothes worn by the early century Mongols. Men wore huge belts and fur coats, and women were fancied up by elegant headdresses and necklaces that hung from their ears. We pretty much got to see what life was like through many stages all the way up to the revolution in the 1990’s. A new generation of democrats stood up to the Communist Party and held a hunger strike in front of the Parliament for months. Getting to see pictures of the peaceful strike touched my heart. We put in our headphones after leaving the museum and walked over to Chinggis Square listening to the Beatles; because that’s what they sang during the hunger strike. Staring at the intimidating statues of Chinggis Khan around the square, I was taken away at the idea of how they felt standing up to their government for so long in the freezing cold. This is the type of history we should be learning about in school at home. You can change your government with peace but also with integrity.

That evening we went to the National Historical Theatre, where we got to see the most spectacular traditional performances. Some of the dance performances included a story of a man and woman falling in love, and old man and Buddhist gods, and even a contortionist. Contortion is considered an art form in Mongolia, and many start at a young age. We heard through singing, and instruments made with horse hair. It was magical hearing a Mongolian Orchestra, and hearing this music form started here over 800 years ago.

The next day we went to visit the Chinggis Khan Statue where we got to climb a bunch of circular stairs right up into his “sun-don’t’-shine” area and climb out onto the largest steel statue in the world. The view was amazing! I got to take a picture with a monk—whom we actually got to visit today at the Monastery. I have felt so culturally euphoric for the past few days and I love what we’ve been able to see in such short amount of time. I can’t wait what is in store for us on the Steppe!

#Pollete