I've decided to write to you as if i was writing a letter. You know? I always struggle with the blank screen. There's so much to tell, random stuff that happens around here, that have suddenly become mainstream. And in a way I don't want it to become normal, I want it to be special for as long as I can. Maybe if I write to you and I make some effort on remembering those little things, these will stay special, a fingerprint on a random blog.
I told you about my frozen eyelashes. The first time it happen i got all excited, maybe horrified, i had to take a photo.
It was somehow unbelievable. Is not that i feel cold when i am walking around (even if it gets to -30*) but is the thought of going outside and putting on all those layers of clothes that starts to get me. Last week it really got to my nerves, I just couldn't deal with it anymore, is not that i was feeling cold is just that i couldn't cope with the layering and the frozen hair nostril, frozen eyes lashes and worrying about getting a frostbite. It's ok, really, and the weather being so cold also has some good things. For example there's random ice sculptures around town, my preferred one is the slide, a proper slide built with ice, You probably can't see it very well on the pic, but that's me in the middle of the night sliding down, on my back (yeap! what you see is my big butt!).
The pavement is a real pain to be honest. I no longer walk I slide to places. I haven't fallen yet but I can see it happen very soon. Going somewhere is a lot about covering yourself enough, and concentrating where you are putting your feet. Looking around is not actually an option, a movement of the head and slaaash! your foot follows! No on a more serious note, is quiet difficult to walk, the pavement is cover on ice. Crossing the street was already a difficult task to achieve (mad traffic), now is seriously dangerous! I've laughed at myself a few times. I can see myself standing there hesitating whether to cross or not, would that car get me? would it be able to stop? What about if when I'm crossing I slipt? and so on! is quiet hilarious actually, specially when you have the rush-hour Mongolian pushing me around and probably thinking "bloody foreigners!" And I do have to point out that most women are wearing stilettos!!
Something else I've been willing to tell you for a while, is less pleasant though. But since I got here I just can get used to it (I wish it was the good things i kept noticing). What is it with the spitting?? no seriously. You have the whole noise, they go far to look for it, and for a no apparent reason the always spit when I'm next to them. A few times I've turned around with my oh! so pleasant look (you know which one don't you?! that hasn't change!). I'm sure sometimes they do it in purpose. I do know also is not like that all the time. But when you are walking to work early in the morning (far too early for my standards!) in the freezing cold trying not to slip on the icy ground and the guy walking just behind you (the personal space is far smaller here) starts the whole process, I just want to scream! See?! the thing is I can see all this with a smile on my face, it just became normal. Is the way it is. I'm still paranoid though they might spit on me one day! Be sure I'll tell you about it!
Since I've been back, if I'm honest I've been struggling to get back on track. I've been trying to keep myself busy, trying not to think too much, I'm quiet good at avoiding (I'm on the denial stage, psychologically speaking), that hasn't change either (maybe I've always been on denial). I went to the ballet the other night, very nice indeed. I wasn't expecting much but was positively surprised. The place, the opera, it's quiet impressing itself. i could imagine the Tsar court in amasing dresses walking around. But hey! we both know I have a very flourish imagination huh? The ballet was good, something stroke me though after every solo the dancer will stop and bow. A bit disturbing to start with but amusing after. The best though, was the people. They quiet surely go there like if they were going to the cinema. Which can be incredibly interesting and much better that to stare at a screen, but the mobiles phone go all the way, and people chat around. I wanted to keep it cheap so got the balcony. I'll know now that is better to give a little more, i ended up surrounded by kids and a despotic teacher who pulled their ears when they were too noisy (the teacher was actually louder than the kids!). I have now booked a few shows, they have also opera with international and national cast. I've been told the national cast does worth it. I'm really looking forward to that.
Last weekend was a good one. Tired of the pollution, it's quite bad around here, they use coal to heat the gers (yurts), which covers the city with a yellowish blanket. No seriously, the moon is actually yellow in this city, during the winter though! Sorry got lost there! I was talking about last weekend. Yeap! Saturday with some friends and their colleagues we went for a day of "fresh snow and fresh air". The idea was to get out of the pollution and enjoy the snow that has being slowly but surely falling. We rented some sledges and spend the whole day going up and down the hill. And as a first a picnic on the snow! With famished dogs surrounding us (and me staring at the snow pretending they weren't there! no my dog-phobia is not gone!) It was so nice to get out, it genuinely felt like skiing holidays, loads of snow, the people laughing... You could actually rent skis, but as you know I'm far too lazy to walk up the hill with my skis on me back for 20 minutes to be down in less than 2 seconds. Cross country skiing might be considered some time soon, but somehow what gets me it the speed... The sledge was definitely a very good option. Specially the comical falls. Very proud of myself I put on my Mongolian boots thinking I'll be warm. And i was warm, my feet were perfectly fine, but for some reason they have no grip at all. Which made my attempts to get to the top of the hill impossible but hilarious! I kept either falling or sliding down. I'll try to upload the video, we made friends with a Mongolian littler girl and sweet as she was she wanted to give me a hand, but I ended up taking her down with me. As a result I have very big blue knees but some tan and a big smile.
(The meeting time was 8h30 but didnt left until 10h30, had breakfast instead)
(Considering I had only 2 hours sleep, I dont look that bad. Or at least as bad as I was feeling)
(The sunny snow parc. Sarah&Peter)
(Up the hill, not fallen yet!)
(Some kids clichees)
(our little friend)
(Sarah's colleagues)
You know, I could keep on going for hours. There's so much to tell, all this little things that make all this experience so interesting. It's not easy all the time, I would be lying if i say that. However is worthwhile and I am really enjoying this. You know I miss you, I really do. I can not really say I'm homesick as I don't feel i have a home somewhere else that where I am. But I miss hanging around with a glass of wine, having random conversations over diner, changing the word or simply bugging!
PS: the uploading of the photos is taking too long, but I promise i'll do it soon enough!
