August 4-7, 2019

We flew to Murun and drove to Double Lake by Toilogt camp, a fairly new camp at Lake Khuvsgul. The drive was, uh, interesting… much of it was on what I would call pretend roads, often on the floor of a dried up river.  To say it was bumpy is quite an understatement. Dramamine is a must for anyone who gets carsick. On the way to the camp we stopped and visited reindeer brought in from the mountains for just that – visitors paying to see the reindeer.  They also had a market for homemade crafts, jewelry, etc. 

We spent three nights at Double Lake, and I must say it is a beautiful place with superb views of the lake and mountains. They have gers to stay in, but we were in what would be best described as hotel rooms, each with a nice balcony that overlooks Lake Khuvsgul.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinners were provided in the lodge, and all the meals were very good. Meat, meat, and more meat – Mongolians like their meat! 

Monday morning, Eric, Dana and I took a boat ride with our tour guide across the lake and met another reindeer family. The woman, her brother, and her four year old daughter make the trek from the mountains every summer, bringing 7 of their ~20 reindeer with them. 

Horseback riding made up most of Tuesday.  We started in the AM and rode for about an hour, then went out again in the afternoon for ~3 hours, including a trip up the mountain on horseback for spectacular views.  Tuesday night ended with a huge bonfire. 

Wednesday started with breakfast, our last meal at Double Lake, then made the drive to Murun to fly back to Ulaanbaatar.  More riding along the pretend roads, but a different route made it bumpy for a shorter duration.

We had some time to shop in Ulaanbaatar Wednesday and will be starting our trip home Thursday through Beijing (with a side trip to the Great Wall).  It has been a long time away from home (away from the 904), but I have seen a country and culture that is truly amazing. The people are extremely friendly, the landscape is beautiful, and there is much to learn from the Mongolian people.

I look forward to returning next year.  

Larry

August 3, 2019

After the exciting, educational week at the children’s hospital, Eric, Dana and I ventured out to the countryside, starting with the Mongol Nomadic Ger Camp. They had an interesting nomadic show, basically a cultural demonstration of how they live.  First up was riding a yak!  Besides the many yaks, they had horses, camels, sheep, and goats to see.  And a dog. 

We saw how they prepare sheep wool (including Eric taking a turn beating the wool with sticks), make milk vodka, and entertain themselves with a couple of games (e.g., ankle bones). I sampled milk tea, and of course, milk vodka – it was very acidic and definitely not my favorite, but at least I had a chance to try it. One of the men put on a show with his horse-
riding skills. Towards the end they had a concert using their horse-head fiddles (morin khuur) and throat singing. 

Just as interesting was the mini-Naadam festival that happened to occur that weekend at the camp. Dancing, horse racing, archery, and of course wrestling. It was a great way to sample was goes on during the very large, three-day festival in Ulaanbaatar in July. 

Lastly, I spent my first night in a ger at the Mongol Nomadic Ger Camp.  This was not roughing it (luckily) – there was electricity, running water and a private bathroom with a shower.  I’m not the roughing it type of person, so it was perfect.

Larry

Days 4 & 5, 2019

The week has come and gone in what seems like in a flash.  One might say our work is done, but that’s far from true. 

One of my dad’s favorite quotes was from Reinhold Niebuhr:  

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”

That very much applies here. We have to accept that there may be things that cannot change given the limited resources the physicians face. They do the best they can with what they have.  

But there are things we can work towards improving… Trying to make sure the appropriate meds are made available to the kids that need them, making sure important laboratory tests are obtainable, and much more. 

I saw many interesting patients and families, and hope I have made an impact for the short time I was here, not only on the patients and their families, but the staff and residents as well. I am indebted to Dr Sandler for inviting me, and thank all the wonderful staff at the hospital for the opportunity to be here and make me feel so welcomed and appreciated. I am especially grateful to Turshee, my wonderful student who spent the week at my side translating my every word. 

I hope to return next year and continue what I started in endocrinology at NCMCH.

Larry