Naadam

Today was the first day of Naadam, a cultural festival similar to our independence day that focuses around the ancient sports Chinghis Khan used to train his army: Mongolian wrestling, archery, and horseback riding.

Erik, Taivan, and I had the privilege of attending the opening ceremonies where we saw the national Olympic team. Watch for several Mongolian wrestlers this summer in London. We heard the opening speech given by the President of Mongolia, and saw the presenting of the ancient battle flags. These banners were placed in the middle of the stadium, and become the centerpiece of the wrestling tournament which a sum of over five hundred wrestlers participate in.

We then went and watched the end of the first round of archery, where a reporter from Hong Kong snagged Dave and Susan, American friends who are here helping the Teachers' Movement through Campus Crusade and have helped with Young Life camps in the past, and asked them to give an interview about the festival. Dave made sure to plug both Campus Crusade and Young Life in the interview. We'll see how they edit him.

After archery, Taivan, Erik and I grabbed some khuushuur (pronounced something close to "horse shoe" with a slur) for lunch, essentially fried mutton that is the equivalent of a taco sold on the street corner in San Diego. Erik and I both ate a total of seven throughout the day.

We then met Magnai and Anji and headed to the horse races.

It was a long drive, and I slept most of the way through the countryside, but once we finally arrived in the middle of nowhere, I awoke to what I can only describe as the blending or collision of the Caruthers Fair, the Clovis Rodeo, and the State Cross Country Meet at Woodward Park. Food vendors were everywhere with their gers set up for the week. Horses with riders and everything else that comes along with horses, spread for miles. Everyone, including the other horses and riders, crowded around the finish line watching as young riders completed the 12 kilometer race.

It's been a good first day of Naadam, and has been a pleasure to spend more time with our friends. Tomorrow, we're looking forward to taking the Young Life staff to a concert and hearing traditional Mongolian music. Then, on the morning of the 14th, we will be heading home.