Thursday in Darkhan

The morning arrived with a light snow. Hetee and I went to the bank so he could wire money to a friend's account. Then it was off to Hetee's door manufacturing business, a start-up he is convinced will work in his city (me too). He needs just a little boost of capital to help train four men to make the doors. Any venture capitalists out there? (Email me, please.)

After that we continue our quest to find Melanie a heavy duty blender. I purchased one for her a couple of years ago but the glass broke and she can't find a replacement. This is one of those “must have” items for her kitchen; she uses it every day. No luck today; maybe we'll find one in UB on Saturday.

Now it's off to the hardware store, a tiny kiosk of assorted “stuff” for a front door lock. Just like in America, keys are getting weaker and Hetee's key broke off in their front door lock so we had to replace the lock. They had what he needed so off we went to replace it.

Once the front door lock was replaced the whole family got in the car for a trip to Tuya's home for lunch. Tuya served aboard the Dulous for two years and helped the women's conference team while they were here two years ago. She made a wonderful beef soup, some steamed bread and carrot cake for dessert. She gave me a cup of 3-in-1 which was a real treat; I haven't had any in a while and it tasted great. (3-in-1 is instant coffee with sugar and creamer all in one packet.) We sat and chatted for a while and then we're off again so Hetee can get a haircut.

I stay in the car and get a quick nap while the family leaves and Hetee gets his hair cut. Soon they're back and we're off for home. Melanie has a birthing class in an hour so while they clean the house I'm trying to stay out of the way. I get on the internet to check my email and Mel says, “Can you find me a live birth video for my class”? I say, “Sure”, not exactly knowing how explicit a video she wants. (All of a sudden I had a flashback to my health class in high school where we had to watch a live birth movie. It was so embarassing.) I found a video, she approved it and then the class arrived so Hetee and I went into the kitchen to talk while Mel taught her class.

This is real life so the Mom's out there will appreciate this next part. Kenny, their two year old son, had to go poo but he couldn't; he's pretty blocked up. So, while Hetee and I are talking spiritual talk, Kenny is sitting on his porta potty, in the middle of the kitchen floor, trying with all his might to accomplish his goal. We talk for about an hour and finally, it happens. We cheer! Life is good.

As Mel's class is ending I get a quick picture as Melanie gives the women some pre-natal vitamins I brought for them. Now it's time for dinner.

Mel has made a hearty beef chile that is outstanding. We're all enjoying it while Kenny decides to ride Hetee like a horse using his hair as a mane. Suddenly he falls back and bites right through his lip as he hits the ground. Screams and tears. Then he's off running around like normal. Tough kid.

After dinner I'm back on the net calling Dana and Sandy in Orlando through Skype. Mel, Hetee and Nate get a chance to say hi to Sandy and then we talk for a while. Just as I'm ending the conversation Mary Baker from a different part of Mongolia Skype's me and wants to know when we'll be in UB. A long conversation later we all say our goodbyes and the Jimmy Kimmel comes on. Mel loves Jimmy Kimmel. The show is delayed by about a week so we're watching the halloween night show. A little while later and I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is my last day in Darkhan and I'm missing them already.