The world’s coldest picnic – my camera froze, so no more pictures.

Just had to tell you.  This morning as I waited for my microbus to take me to the ‘Wee School’, I realised that, I had never been so cold in my life.  My Weather web said, “-23, feels like -32.” ( They tell me at -50 ‘Your lungs freeze’) I had to wait for an hour, and by then, everything but my lungs were frozen.  I had tried to phone to let the school know, that I would be late, but my mobile phone was FROZEN!!!  The buttons wouldn’t move.    Got there – eventually; thawed out - eventually.  I felt like a 4yr old bull!(only regular blog readers will understand that simile).

Anyway, time to confess.  I lied.    I didn’t mean to, but my Mongolian is so feeble that only today, did I discover that  Teachers’ Day is actually, tomorrow and not last week as I had thought.  All the events of last week were simply the big build-up for tomorrow.  There will be award ceremonies and all sorts of celebrations, all over the place, for the lucky teacher stars.

In the ‘Wee School’, they will mark the occasion by allowing pupils to take on the roles of the teachers.  Therefore, we shall have a ‘Pupil/Director, and lots of ‘Pupil/teachers’.  I imagine it will be lots of fun – at least for some.  I’ll be taking photos and will post them tomorrow after work.  So don’t miss that. 

No common meal this evening.  Everyone is either, out of town or too busy, cold, tired or had a better offer.  I’m staying home!  It won’t be like this next week………Tsaagan sar looms.  So far, I have had only five invitations to visit homes.  I was told, yesterday, that many people will be upset, if I don’t come to see them for the Festival.  Help!!!!!!!! 

 I tried to tell them that I’m OK with all the vodka shots, but I draw the line at ’sheep’s eyes’.  Worryingly, they all just fell about laughing.   Apparently, everyone ADORES THIS DELICACY’ – even Zulaa.  They said, I should just close my eyes and open my mouth and it would be fine.  Help again!!!  Beam me up, Scottie.