Sunday, January 30, 2005


Mongolian map Posted by Hello

posted by Helen J @ 1:26 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 28, 2005

Two weeks to go...

Well just over two weeks to go until the voyage begins.

In Mongolia preparations are being made for the Tsagaan Sar celebrations. This holiday (8th February) marks the end of winter although the temperature will remain considerably colder than in the UK for many months. Tsagaan Sar is very much a time for families and a favourite food during this time is buuz, a steamed mutton dumpling, that is Mongolia's national dish.

On a personal level, I am wearing in my cold weather boots so that they will be comfortable!

I have my visa and all travel arrangements have been finalised by my research partner Shani D'Cruze.

If anyone has any hints and tips they would like to pass on about travelling to Mongolia please feel free to leave a comment.

The weather today in Ulaan Baatar is minus 24 degrees.

posted by Helen J @ 3:55 AM 1 comments

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Mongolian Newspaper

For anyone who wants to keep up with general Mongolian news while we are there, you can check out the English versions of the UB Post and the Mongol Meesenger:
UB Post - http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/
Mongol Messenger - http://www.mongolmessenger.mn/home/index.php

The weather today in Ulaanbaatar in minus 31 degrees.

posted by Helen J @ 8:14 AM 0 comments

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Mongolian Diary

As a way of sharing the experience, I have started this blog. Welcome to my Mongolian Diary! It is currently 25 days until I go. All travel plans have been made and we have a number of interviews set up with various agencies and organisations when we get there. The photo below is just an idea of what I think I will encounter. I hope to post photos while I'm there but of course that all depends on the technology not letting me down!

I'll add more information as soon as I have it.

posted by Helen J @ 1:21 PM 3 comments

About Mongolia

Mongolia is a newly open country emerging from 70 years of Communist rule. Mongolia lies sandwiched between China and Russia. One of its most famous leaders was Genghis Khan who was around during the 13th century. 40% of the population live a nomadic lifestyle, moving around with their houses and animals. Mongolia was closely tied to the Soviet Union until the end of the 1980s. It received technical, economic, and military assistance from the Soviet Union and generally followed Soviet guidance in political and cultural matters, both domestic and international. In the period 1990-92, however, Mongolia moved away from a monopoly of political power by the communist party to free multiparty elections, a coalition government, a new constitution, greater cultural and religious freedom with more emphasis on national Mongol traditions, and a neutral position in international relations, as well as toward some elements of a market economy. There has been a dramatic increase in crime and divorce. The focus of our research is how domestic violence is affecting Mongolian society and what is being done to address it.

Mongolia Today - http://www.mongoliatoday.com/
CIA Worlbook - http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mg.html
Lonely Planet - http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_east_asia/mongolia/

posted by Helen J @ 1:08 PM 0 comments


Mongolia Posted by Hello

posted by Helen J @ 12:46 PM 0 comments