Mongolia - the trek to UlaanBaatar
This was the start of a 30 hour plus trip to mongolia. We flew 6 hours to San Francisco and then flew 12 hours to Seoul, South Korea, The Seoul airport was the first highlight of the trip. We had a 4 hour layover so we snooped around and found a "Rest and Relax" lounge that served Korean Air customers. For a fee we could sit, eat and drink with free wifi for as long as we wanted. We could also pay a reasonable fee to take a shower, and get a manicure and or a massage. Sarah, Connie, Miyako, and Dana took a shower and got a foot massage. Kelly got a full body massage. It was such a nice break.
These are not linked to larger images.
Seoul Airport - cultural center with performances
and crafts. Treats at the Rest and Relax center
Fun bathroom sign. We could not resist the shower
Dana and Sara getting a foot massage
When we arrived in
Ulaanbaatar we were met by the embassy Cultural
Specialist Otgon (I thought she might be Klingon
but I was wrong). Otgon organized all the
activities and performance venues and she really
packed our schedule. She gave us a packet of
information and included a box of official
embassy chocolates.
These ARE linked to larger images:
This is where we eat breakfast. Omelettes
made-to-order, so-so coffee and great yogurt.
The outside of the hotel looks like a typical
soviet era building but the inside is quite
lovely. Dancer Sarah Halzack and I are on the 3rd
floor probably the second window from the left
looking into the sign. The pic on the left is the
bar where Dana and I have been blogging every
night. (He's getting paid to blog for the
Chronicles of Higher Learning) We have enjoyed
local beer and wheat vodka
We are driven around in official State Dept vans
Some food pictures - cappucino with a lovely
spoon, mutton dumplings and tongue, a local dark
beer (Otgon is in the background)