It was supposed to be China, in general, Bejiing, in particular, but not this time ‘The Great Wall’ will have to wait.

   Since I am halfway through my placement, I am taking my allocated leave, and should have been heading east.  However, between, visa, problems and the old, ’snow on the rail lines’ story, it won’t happen any time soon.  Instead, I am heading home for a few days. On Friday, I fly to UB, on the same plane as Maarten and Angus, who are also returning home after, completing their two year placement.  So, the trip to UB should be interesting.  I shall stay with Mavis again, and leave on Monday morning,  for Moscow, then Paris, then Toulouse, arriving home, late afternoon, the same day.  (with crossing time zones, I almost arrive before I leave, some places)  I shall return to Mongolia on the 27 February, in time for a VSO conference, then spend time in UB, visiting some “children’s homes” with our friend, Bolserran, from “Anna home”.  This is to help him make some useful and experienced contacts in the business of looking after, abandoned children.

One really amazing thing about this coming weekend is that I shall be meeting up with a chance acquaintance.   

During my last visit, when I met with the writers, I found myself disorientated in an unfamiliar part of the city and asked for directions from a lady who was waiting to cross the street next to me.  This kind person, who happened to be Russian, insisted on taking me to my destination by taxi and spoke just a few words of English to me.  She also insisted in giving me her mobile number and taking mine.  She has tried to call me several times, but always when I could not answer the call.  I finally, through Zulaa, called her and she told me that her brother would telephone me soon and speak English to me.   He rang yesterday and it turns out that he is a ‘ballet dancer’ from Moscow and he will be dancing in the National Opera House, in UB on Saturday, and I am invited to attend.  (This is where I saw ‘Swan Lake’ three weeks ago) and should be an exciting experience, all this, from a five minute ‘chance’ encounter.  Will certainly feed back all about it.

Meanwhile, I am working really hard this week to try to urge things on to the next stage where I can leave work that can be done whilst I am away.  Just as I was preparing to leave the school, a delegation arrived to wish me ‘Bon Voyage’.   I thought they were going to sing and play for me, but, instead, the Director made a speech to wish me well and presented me with this wonderful gift – a ‘morin khuur’ a horsehead-violin. which is the Mongolian National musical instrument.  I was touched and stunned.

 Isn’t it gorgeous?