Friday Photos: Travels and Students

I try to have the weekly "Friday Photos" feature of RememberMongolia.org have some relation to the week that just passed.  This week that's a bit problematic because there were two somewhat interesting things which took place that warrant a picture.

1. I (Bernie) made a trip by train to the Chinese town of Zamyn-Uud to meet with some church leaders there.  It was interesting, to say the least ... and about the only way I want to actually see the Gobi Desert (which is really a whole lot of nothing!) This is my train at the Zamyn-Uud Railway station.

I returned on Thursday.  On Friday evening, we had over 100 students show up for the kickoff event for Grain of Wheat Student Ministries. We had a great evening of live music, games, cakes and coffee ... and an "open mic" for student performances.  It was an encouraging evening, and we look forward to having more student activities like this (another Open Mic night in two weeks!) So for this Friday Photo shot, I want a to share a couple of grabs from the evening.

 

Friday Photo: No Car Saturday!

This week's photo was actually taken today (Saturday).  Every so often Ulaanbaatar shuts down the streets for "No-Car Day".  It's a bit of a pain if you have to drive anywhere (just ask Renee' and the short-term team from Hawaii who tried to go to the market today). The streets are full of Mongolians who are teaching their kids to ride bicycles, skateboarders, rollerbladers and those just wandering the streets without fear of being hit by a car.  It's about the only time here when "pedestrians rule".

Friday Photo: Went here. Did this. Was good.

We (myself and three of our team members) went here:

And did this:

And it was good.

Friday Photo: UB Contrasts

This is a Mosque being built right up the road from where we live.  There is a growing number of Kazakh people moving into Ulaanbaatar.  Many are coming from the western Mongolian provinces of Hovd and Bayan Ulgii.

Then there's also Avon.

This city is a growing metropolis of change and contrast.

 

Friday Photo: Grilled

Finally able to get the grill fired up and working well. last evening.  11th story steaks are looking nice from above (and tasted better).  Be jealous.