I have to admit that I am a little disappointed in Nadaam this year. Last year was such a spectacular year, it is probably hard to top that. We missed the dispatch of the Nine White Banners from Chinggis Square because the published time was 10:00 am they actually dispatched them at 9:00 am. We arrived at 9:30 am and were standing around with thousands of other tourists and locals waiting for it to happen. Finally they announced something at 10:15 in Mongolian and thankfully a kind Mongolian who could speak English informed us that the Banners had already been dispatched. So we just walked the 20 or so minutes to the stadium area. We did not get tickets this year for the opening ceremonies either. Our translator tried for two days standing in line to get tickets. She was close to the front of the line each time, but did not get any. It just goes to show that it is who you know not necessarily where you are in line. She was kind of upset, I think she really wanted to go, She has lived here her whole life and has not been able to attend in person. Elder Nay and I was offered tickets for $35 US dollars apiece, but $70 for basically 1 hour of entertainment seemed like a lot and we had promised Muugii tickets and we would feel bad if we went without her so we decided not to go.
We went to the stadium area and watched the archery, and the knucklebone competition. Watched people, ate Khuushuur, looked at all of the tents where people are selling and came home. That evening we attended a concert of the Morin Khuur Ensemble of Mongolia. (The Horse Head Fiddle). It was beautiful. I love the sound that this instrument makes! It is mellow, melodious, and yet when played fast, you can just picture the horses running out on the steppes. It was great. Following are some pictures of what we saw this year.
Oops, the arrow fell out of the bow. This little guy did a lot better later on.
This is the knuckle bone competition (Shagain asar). They put this wedge
shaped piece of bone in a tray or guide and then flick it approximately 20 feet to knock down a small ankle bone. This is a traditional sport, probably done out on the steppes while tending their flocks.
It was fun to watch this as well.
This was the cutest "wrestler" that we saw.
Wrestlers out in the arena. They are big guys.
The first round starts with 512 wrestlers. If you lose you are out of the competition.
Then the second round starts with 256 wrestlers. The competition has 9 rounds.
12
The horse race is out in the countryside so we did not see it in person,
but did see horses being ridden out in fields as we walked home.
Also saw some soldiers riding as we were walking home.
We saw this man carrying chairs at Chinggis Square.
(He was carrying them from the government building to a dignitary tent)
They were heavy chairs and I was impressed he had such a strong neck.
We were up in the balcony at the concert so it was hard to get a good picture, but the music was wonderful!
The night before Naadam we had gone to the National Garden Park to see sculptors doing their thing.
We saw the artists, an eagle, babies driving cars (these are remote controled by the parents) and Alvin and the chipmunks! Of course Elder Nay (Alvin had to get in the picture.
We are grateful to be here and experience the culture but most of all the wonderful people in Mongolia.
We love their faith, their strength, their hospitality, their endurance and their example of service and love to others. Most Mongolians will go out of their way to help us, even though they may not understand us.
We see them serve each other every day.
Thank you Mongolia, Have a great Naadam!
Scripture of the week:
3Nephi 22:10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
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