Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Back in Olgii




Well after two weeks in Ulaanbaatar, three weeks in the U.S., another week in UB, and a two day bus ride...I'm back home in Olgii. It's really nice to be back in my apartment, in my town. I've been running into neighbors, friends and coworkers the past few days, getting readjusted to life back here. My boss and many of my coworkers are out in the countryside vacationing and many students are either in the countryside visiting family or in the summer camps outside of Olgii, so work has been pretty much non-existent. I also got pretty sick this week, possibly food poisoning, so I'm trying to take it easy until I feel better. Next week I'll be heading around town more to meet with some new people and talking to my students about when we'll restart classes and start working on some projects.

We just found out that we'll be getting two new Peace Corps volunteers in Olgii in August, a married couple from the M20 group. I haven't met many of the M20's yet but it will be interesting to have some new PCV's in Olgii for the last year that Laura and I are here. Hopefully we can all work together and maybe put together a project or two that will benefit all of Olgii.

I think things will be pretty slow until the first week of September when school starts. In late August I will be going back to Ulaanbaatar for a Peace Corps M19 mid service training session, should be about another week away from Olgii but when I come back, I'll come back with Laura and it will be right before school starts.

I haven't taken too many pics lately, just pics with friends and family from Ulaanbaatar and the U.S. I will try to put a few of the good ones up. I've got a new computer and camera and am still getting things organized. Anyways, hope everyone is doing well back home. To those I got to see and spend time with, it was great seeing you and I look forward to seeing you again whenever I make it back to the U.S. To those I didn't see, there's always 2010/2011. Stay in touch. :)


2 comments:

Unknown said...

2010/2011 = I can't wait!!

I want to go visit CTG sometime when he's down in Kenya. Want do join? You know you do! (Although, you also need to visit me in Virginia.) Miss you, Mr. Becker!

SarahTravelChannel said...

I found your blog about Mongolia, and I wanted to contact you. I’m an associate producer working on a Travel Channel show called “Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World”. We’re going to be in Mongolia next month and I’d like to brainstorm some story ideas with you. I’m looking for one more story to feature on the show.



Although the word ‘bizarre’ can be misleading, the intent of the show is to look for customs, traditions, lifestyles, landscapes, etc. that our audience would find unexpected and unusual. The program is designed to educate our audience about other cultures, to help make the unexpected a little more familiar and understandable. The people and cultures featured in our programs are always treated with respect and understanding and are portrayed in a positive light.





More info about our show:

http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bizarre_World

The name of our program is “Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World” and airs on the Travel Channel. It is a spin-off of our “Bizarre Foods” show, which is one of the most watched shows on the network.



When researching a country, we look for all the most unusual cultural aspects. It could be anything: food, sports, festivals, traditions, religions, art, music, dance, rituals, homes, jobs, etc. As long as it could be considered “bizarre” to someone else in the world, we want to find it! The best stories are the ones where our host, Andrew, can participate in what’s going on.



I'm writing to see if you have any suggestions for cultural aspects that we could feature on our show. I would love to hear any suggestions you have.



I’m also happy to give you a call if that’s easier for you.



Thanks,

Sarah



Tremendous Entertainment ● 10100 Viking Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ● 952-303-8027 direct ● 952-258-0155 fax ● Sarah.Gebeke skype