Mandaloopy does China

[katie23]

^^Got busy with work. Only now that I have a break & able to browse TD. Didn't tell the story earlier since my time was limited and I don't know if ppl would be interested.

From what I've heard, it does get really cold in Mongolia. My friend had to buy lots of winter gear when he stayed there. My friend and the Mongolian girl who was the "head of the party" - they worked for the same multinational company and kept in touch via FB.

The Mongolian group arrived here (in PI) in January. At that time, it was still cool, temps were ~24 to 26 Celsius. My friend and I wore jeans (and sometimes jacket) as we toured them around. The Mongolians wore shorts and sleeveless shirts! 55

Re: the low population number, according to them, at some point in their history, they were at war with the Chinese, who wanted to rule over them. Then the Russians came to their aid and drove the Chinese out. The Russians also brought communism (or socialism, whatever). Then during that time, the gov't put (placed? levied?) high income tax. The income earners were mostly men at that time. However, monks were exempt from income tax. So many men, to avoid being taxed, became monks. Then (I think) they were not allowed to leave the monkhood. They were also not allowed to have their own families/ children. So only few men were reproducing at that time. They also don't have many children due to the harsh conditions, especially in the countryside.

They (the Mongolians) did say that they have more livestock than people! I found it a bit odd, since there are 100+ million Filipinos in my small country (10 M working overseas). But then, most are Catholics and don't practice birth control. But again, that's another story...

[tomcat]

I hope you're not suggesting that Mandy was taken advantage of by renters in league with school admin...such behavior would further suggest...well, never mind: the folks he met were always friendly and helpful...

[HuangLao]

I hope you're not suggesting that Mandy was taken advantage of by renters in league with school admin...such behavior would further suggest...well, never mind: the folks he met were always friendly and helpful...

P. T. Barnum had a reference along these lines...

Applied greatly to naive [even when considering themselves superior] foreign devils when attempting to navigate Asia.
Some don't get it, nor ever have.

[OhOh]

Then (I think) they were not allowed to leave the monkhood. They were also not allowed to have their own families/ children. So only few men were reproducing at that time. They also don't have many children due to the harsh conditions, especially in the countryside.

You may want to read this report:

Tracking maternal mortality declines in Mongolia between 1992 and 2007: the importance of collaboration

"Results
During the 1992–2007 period, the MMR peaked in 1993 at 241 per 100 000 live births and then fell approximately 62.8%, to 89.6 per 100 000 live births in 2007 (Fig. 1). More specifically, substantial declines occurred between 1993 and 1996, followed by minor fluctuations between 1997 and 2000, an accelerated decline from 2001 to 2004, and minor fluctuation but still a slight decrease from 2005 to 2007. Between 2001 and 2007, when the MMRS 2001–2004 and 2005–2010 were implemented, the MMR showed an overall decrease of 47%, falling from 169 to 89.6 deaths per 100 000 live births."

"Briefly, the years immediately following the political transition witnessed a deterioration of the health-care system and a resultant rise in maternal mortality. After 1993, maternal mortality decreased due to the reintroduction of “maternal waiting homes” (also known as maternity rest homes), improvements in the supply of emergency drugs and increased training of health-care workers in sexual and reproductive health (including obstetrics) through assistance from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Maternal waiting homes are a particularly important component of the health-care referral system because women from rural areas must travel large distances to reach provincial health centres, which can keep them from receiving timely care.¹⁸ Support from UNFPA also increased; it ensured the availability of contraceptives and strengthened the logistic management system of the National Reproductive Health Programme.¹⁵ In addition, the liberalization of abortion legislation in 1989 led to reductions in poor outcomes from unsafe abortions.



The combination of these health system reform and policy measures culminated in the stabilization of the MMR at around 165 deaths per 100 000 live births by the second half of the 1990s, a reduction from over 200 deaths per 100 000 live births in the early 1990s (Fig. 1).¹² In addition, greater support for education and communication campaigns about family planning led to a wide acceptance of, and greater demand for, sexual and reproductive health services among the population. In summary, the 1990s witnessed important improvements in both supply and demand factors related to women’s sexual and reproductive health, thus creating a favourable environment for the implementation of the MMRS 2001–2004."



WHO | Tracking maternal mortality declines in Mongolia between 1992 and 2007: the importance of collaborationIt appears to be that the birth rate declined but the ones that survived did so because of improvements in the medical facilities available and better usage and results. Less babies dying after birth.

[katie23]

^I only wrote what the Mongolian tourists told me. Maybe that's what they know - the story about income taxes and monkhood. Maybe that's what taught to them in schools?

Or the low population could be due to both - monkhood + taxes, and abortions + better health care for newborns. Or somewhere in between...

Thanks for the article. The Mongolians that I met were all young, friendly and had positive outlook in life & about their country. But then they were on holiday mode, so they were probably happier & more relaxed than normal.

[Mandaloopy]

Confirmed, I'm going to herd yak for 2 years

[OhOh]

^^
You have received your contract and it is in English?

[Mandaloopy]

Yup, all in English and it is well written- no breach of contract penalty either.
This is what I get:

While it is vulgar to talk about money, it is also interesting to note teaching salaries around the world: 3000USD tax free.
2 year contract
Free housing in my own apartment- massive plus compared to Myanmar
Free transport to and from school and the supermarket a couple of times a week- a nice little touch
Healthcare, but not dental.
Free flights to and from Mongolia, plus I trip home once a year if wanted- if not, it comes in the form of a bonus.
Visa Fees
If I had kids, they could study for free.
Professional Development- due to Mongolia's relative isolation, most of this is done online.
Gym membership thrown in for free

They don't use PYP, but can't win them all.

[tomcat]

but can't win them all

...indeed: I note the contract didn't mention 9-month winters...USD3K may not be worth weekends huddling around the kitchen stove in your anorak...

[Mandaloopy]

Ah, I didn't mention holidays: 10 weeks off over the summer and 3 weeks for "Winter Break".
There are also 4 days I'm allowed to take for religious and cultural reasons- will become devout for Christmas 555

https://www.discovermongolia.mn/ulaanbaatar/

Sometimes -11 is consider "warm"

An investment will be needed

[HuangLao]

Hear that Mongolia is quite the raging fashion these days....

[Mandaloopy]

Yup- now I want a Mongolian wife

[tomcat]

...^yak breath...

[Cujo]

Yak butter tea.

[tomcat]

...yakety-yak...

[HuangLao]

Family Yurt....for those more countrified

[OhOh]

Good luck, when are you off? We want more photos of the locals and a Mongolian Food thread. If you have a moment of course.

Another adventure, lucky boy.

Is the fashion spread girl from the young Genghis Khan movie? Get a fur hat and mix with the locals. At -32 C, you'll need someone to keep you warm. They all look plump at first, but take your time unpeeling her outer layers and see what emerges.


Here she is, if it's the same woman, in the movie:




Here is link to it:

https://zooqle.com/mongol-the-rise-o...1-p-vpb93.html

Great Movie.

[Mandaloopy]

Just got back from the Mongolian Embassy- got the phone number of the nice lady taking care of my visa- super friendly and welcoming and her sister's daughter is going to be one of my students- small world. Looks like I will be leaving Frinday or Monday- I can't wait, I am also getting a bit sick of living in hotels and airports. Expecting the accommodation provided to be somewhat dated but serviceable

Did find a video on the local food:

[Maanaam]

Did find a video on the local food:

That food looks very inviting! I note the prices are comparable to Thailand, eg 26 baht for a cup of milk tea. 260bhat for the lamb head dish. Not street food price but comparable mediocre Thai restaurant prices. So much lamb!! Enjoy.

[Cujo]

That food looks very inviting! I note the prices are comparable to Thailand, eg 26 baht for a cup of milk tea. 260bhat for the lamb head dish. Not street food price but comparable mediocre Thai restaurant prices. So much lamb!! Enjoy.

That guy must be an idiot. He reckons it's difficult getting genuine mongolian food in UlaanBaatar.

[Maanaam]

That guy must be an idiot. He reckons it's difficult getting genuine mongolian food in UlaanBaatar.

No, I think he was referring to a lack of Mongolian restaurants, or restaurants, full stop.
Can't be bothered watching it again, so I could be wrong. That's just my memory of my impression.

[Mandaloopy]

That guy must be an idiot. He reckons it's difficult getting genuine mongolian food in UlaanBaatar.

He went to pretty much the most touristy place he could- the sheep head does come recommended by a local I met today. My beefy noodles cost about 2USD for a large portion.

[Luigi]

Confirmed, I'm going to herd yak for 2 years

Great stuff!

Damn nice adventure and experiences coming for sure.


Bettyboo did a stint in Golia or else just had a stunning Mongolian missus for a bit.

Looking forward to yer thread mate. Best of luck.

[Norton]

Confirmed, I'm going to herd yak for 2 years

Great! Off ya go then. Enjoy and keep in touch. Hope they have modern toilets and internet.

[tomcat]

...bon voyage for yet another Asian adventure!...