the Minibus

I'm finally becoming a minibus rider. My four transportation options around UB are as follows: by foot, by bus, by taxi, by minibus. Each of these has its pros and cons and each is more or less practical depending on the destination and how much time I have to get there. Minibuses are cheap and go directly to places all over the city.
However, their routes, mysterious place names marked sometimes on their windowpanes, or more commonly, simply shouted in a well-practiced vendor's call, are often extremely difficult to discern.
The minibuses are all vans, dark green, with maybe eleven seats in the back for passengers, (and the conductor). So, the bus stops, the conductor leans out, hoarsely shouting their mantra of mysterious syllables, and slowly, people pile in. 9, 11, 15 (plus the conductor) and finally we're off. Weaving, veering and slamming through traffic... bouncing over the unpaved shortcut on the way to the 15th district, a single, crammed mass of riders. Then, climbing out as gracefully in the little, low van, over all the legs and laps and bags to squeeze out the door and back into fresh air and SPACE!
These vans really begin to show their versatility and hardiness outside of UB. This summer, there were times when we were driving in countryside-equipped vehicles on terribly bumpy countryside roads (tracks) and were overtaken by a humble, low-riding minibus, zooming along, with it's passengers hanging on stoically inside. Amazing.
My friend Shino was in a minibus here in UB when it was hit by another vehicle. I don't like to think about that, packed against the metal frame, swerving around in traffic... but it is exhilirating to have mastered another transportation option. What you can learn in a year...

Goodbye September

Sometimes, walking home in the cold, late evenings now, the distinctive smell of coal smoke from the ger districts is in the air. I haven't smelled it for several months, and the odor is amazingly nostalgic, bringing back my first impressions of Mongolia from when I arrived here in January.

The central heating turned on today. Everyone said our building must be one of those scheduled for Oct. 1, but I was trying not to let myself hope too much for heat by the end of this week. Incredibly (this is the first time I can remember something like this happening as scheduled) this morning water was gurgling in the radiator- and when I got home late in the afternoon- it was hot for the first time in 6 mo.s or so. Funny to remember I was so excited when it finally turned off during the warm spring weather.

School is pretty much keeping my full attention. I meet 3 times a week with the second-year teacher's classes, and twice a week with the third-year translator's classes (my second-year students from last semester.) This week I'm finally feeling our routine has settled and become consistent; the new students and I are getting to know each other. I'm enjoying the differences between the two groups, (new and old, young and not-quite-as-young)- and I'm experimenting with adapting my lessons to their needs. I love being surprised by flashes of originality and excellence in individual students, and I love that I can see my older students have improved in their listening comprehension since I've known them.

-Although I still don't see teaching as my single, future career- I'm looking forward to going back to school where my practical experience can be refined and informed.-
In the past I was hesitant to pursue teaching for fear I'd fall short of being a Great Teacher; it can be an idealistic business. I have to say though, that one of the biggest encouragements here has been other teachers, giving me ideas, insight and confirmation.

Finally, I'd like to share two small, but important successes.

1. For the first time, a Mongolian woman asked ME for directions! (... and although she looked taken aback when I started to speak, I was able to send her off in the right direction of the market she was looking for. )

2. I learned how to make a Greek Salad Dressing, (very easy). Add another feather to the Hostess Cap!