Saturday was a day of my firsts. First time at the Sukhbaatar Square, first time to ride a bus in the UB, first volunteer experience at the orphanage, first fall and first sleepover with Filipino volunteers. I woke up early because I stayed all night sleeping off my jet lag and cooked an effortless meal of Payless beef noodles and bread toasts for my breakfast. Along with Debra, Tom, Alylose, Dorieka and Andrew, we left the guesthouse at 10 am and walked to the Sukhbaatar square. Since I was walking with the giants, I was literally brisk walking just so I can caught up with them. I took few pictures at the square and finally met with Merryn, Jo and Evelyn before riding a bus to the Lotus Children Centre ( an orphanage that our guest house supports). See: www.lotuschild.org
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| On our way to the Sukhbaatar Square (Photo Credits: Andrew Spink) |
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| At the Sukhbaatar Square with Alylose ( Photo Credits: Andrew Spink) |
Technically, playing with the kids in the orphanage was my first volunteer experience here in UB. I was really amused that some kids are speaking English. It was my 3rd day and I have not started my language lessons yet so I was like: "Sain Banuu" ( Hello) and then pffft, end of my conversations with the kids. But for kids, playing is a global language and that there is no need for any grammar and pronunciation lessons, so everyone can just engage in their play anytime.
In the orphanage, I met a very sweet and cuddly girl named Toshino with a white hair bow that was twice as large as her head. All the kids really enjoyed our presence in the center especially that some of them rode our backs and raced across the room. Every time, I get tired of carrying Toshino on my back, she was massaging my back and arms. I also taught Toshino an English version of "Ilong, ilong, ilong" which she enjoyed playing.
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| With my playmate, Toshino and her white bow. |
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| Lotus Kids |
We left the orphanage at 3pm and the group had our delicious chicken burritos in a cafe at the Bayanzurkh District. When I entered the cafe, I slipped at the doorway and fell face down. Ahem.. first injury in Mongolia caused by clumsiness. Debbie was really helpful and concerned with my accident maybe because I could not hide my grimaces that time. After our late lunch, I was able to walk normally again with my left leg in spite of the nasty fall.
After the late lunch, we went home and I was picked up by Kuya Max to spend the night at the the place of two VSO Bahaginan volunteers Ate Yvonne and Doc Emily. I spent my third night with them along with other VSO volunteers Kuya Leo, Ate Fe, Kuya Alberto and Kuya Ronnie (who was a VSO volunteer before and is now working here in UB as an English teacher). We had home cooked Filipino dishes for our dinner: adobong manok and the other recipe with lamb ( which helped me eliminate my bowels in the past 3 days). Then thanks to Kuya Ronnie's downloaded movies, we watched Filipino movies: Petrang Kabayo and My Amnesia girl! Yes, this is how Filipinos abroad bond!
Day 3: Wrapped up.
