Anne - at the salon

We were passing time at the market in Murun Mongolia waiting for our flight.

Bev caught me in this reflection and thought  I would post it.

Shaman visit in UB

This was very interesting. Mongolians actually believe that Chinggis Khaan was a shaman aside from being the most ruthless - and most successful - warlord of all time. They think Chinggis helped raise awareness and belief in shamanism.  Anyway what is interesting about Chinggis Khaan is that he was not threatened by other people's religion when he was busy conquering Arabia, China, South East Asia and India. His soldiers never destroyed any religious monuments - this is quite unlike many many other territorial conquerors. In 1937 when Stalin came to Mongolia, his warriors did a great job destroying pretty much  all of the Buddhist temples. Anyway back to our Shaman visit this afternoon. 

"Our" shaman was quite young –about 30 years old we think - and had been doing this for 5 or 6 years. His mother was sick and this was causing many problems in the family until finally they all realized it was because Sukhbaatar (his name) was not fulfilling his true destiny to be a shaman. Once he did that, the mother got better. 

He is also a throat singer as well as a horse head fiddle maker. Quite the accomplished guy! It was quite interesting to watch him perform mini-displays of how he normally gets into the trance in order to help people. The wolf is his protector so that is why he is a wolf on his drum. Each shaman will choose the animal that best suits him.  

He had lots of potions and masks and skulls and bells and icons and bowls full of rocks and water and stuff. 

He also had a couple of capes I shall call them. The one he wore for us had snakes on his back to protect him. He was working with some people who had a bad aura and he felt in danger so after that he put the snakes on this back. He does not want any bad spirits sneaking up on him from behind and taking some kind of control. 

He also has string hanging down on front of this face. The string is to protect his face in case of seeing bad things – he does not want to harm himself by seeing these things.

And then our leader asked if he would rid any of us who wised to be cleansed of any bad "aura". 

Of course he said he did not think we had any but a few of us asked to be "cleansed". 

So Bev took this of me being cleansed.  

Another successful selfie - with Chingiis Khaan

Since I have been so successful with taking selfies - NOT - I thought I would try again this morning when we went to the 120 ft. high statue of Chingiis Khaan near Terelj National Park in Mongolia.

The statue is 120 ft. high and you can take an elevator up to the mane of the horse so that is where I am standing at this point.

UlaanBaatar - not just one more day - NAADAM

It is the city that just keeps on giving.

Yesterday was the first day of NAADAM and it did not disappoint.

Horse racing, archery and wrestling are the 3 national sports that they compete in during this yearly festival.

The day before NAADAM Festival starts

Fantastic day today as the city gets ready for Naadam.

We had afternoon concert tickets in the Main Square and then at 6 with the group we saw the parade of costumes.

Here are some highlights!

Camera shy in UlaanBaatar

This chap was playing chess with a buddy in the main Suhbaatar Square.

Was not keen on having his photo taken so this is what I got....

They both had a good laugh when I showed them!

Selfie # 2 - Mongolia

So thought I would try another selfie since that one at Angkor Wat work out so well.

Here is my 3rd attempt this morning ... clearly I need practice!

Another tourist saw me - and offered to take my picture so here I am in Suhbaatar Square with old Genghis behind me.

I kind of like mine better! What about you?

Tiananmen Sqaure - shot from the street literally

kind of blurry but kind of fun. Just put my camera on the ground and pushed the button! 

Beijing Acrobats

Some good fun at the local library's auditorium!

Mongolia day 2

only been here 1.5 days and already this is Mongolia to me.