The view from my window

This winter has been a strange one—warmer than usual and much less snow—but the ice on the windows is still present. It is a strange feeling to know that you are on the fourth floor, yet not be able to see out the window. It is disappointing not to be able to watch people, camels, and horse carts from the windows, but it is neat to see the variety of patterns the ice creates. This picture was taken during sunrise--which, since it occurs after 8:00am would be something I'd see quite often if it weren't for the ice.

I'll never be the same...

Mongolia has irrevocably changed my fashion tastes. It’s not just me though--I’ve noticed this occurring in my foreign friends too.

Case in point: Three of us were shopping at a large indoor market in UB (Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia) the other day. The item that all three of us were eyeing was, sadly enough, a fake fur/knit vest. It had a zipper up the front, black and grey faux fur, a purple knit waist band, and a band of fur below that. It was spectacular! (We restrained ourselves though, after concluding that it wasn't worth the price the saleswoman was asking.)

Other items that are now “eye-catching” to us were high-heeled boots, boots with fur trim, clothes with sequins, and leather coats.