The family that owned this ger found me setting up my tent and emphatically refused to let me continue. I would come stay with them. When you arrive in a 'ger' you are sat down near the stove usually opposite the door, a respected position, and offered a bowl of milk tea accompanied by an assortment of milk products. Here is a typical 'conversation'.Mongolian Hostess: gesturing sit down
Bernadette: Byharla (Thanks)
MH: goes to the stove, makes the tea
B: (stumbling throught the phrasebook for the appropriate phrase) I hope your animals are fattening well.
MH: nods, saying something, looking very very happy
B: Nods and waits, smiles at kids, asks if the drunk man passed out is their father.
MH: Presents the bowl of milk and sets a plate of cheese, another of butter and another of cream on a low table. gestures eat.
B: Sips the milk, "Mmm amtai" (delicious) reaches for some cheese and brings it towards her mouth.
MH: frantically waving no no
B: questioning look
MH: demonstrates spreading the butter on the cheese then eating
B: smiles, puts butter on her cheese too
Because nothing goes better with a bowl of milk than butter on cheese!
2 comments:
Wow, I love love love all the blog posts. I'm starting to get a feel for those Mongols. Have to say, I think my GI system would have exploded on this trip, considering that I'm lactose intolerant. Guess they don't have that problem in Mongolia?
And, I CAN'T BELIEVE what kind of "roads" you are traveling on! A less hardy soul would have bailed for France or some such paved place long ago. You have my utmost admiration, you kick ass.
Kiss a yak for me.
Hey there, Annmarie! Bernadette's no kiss yak. Also, I think you meant to say "you kick yak." No?
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