Summer of 2012 starts fiercely with a dearly beloved passing over to other human realms. 'Tis not death. Alexander Pope, in Pastorals: Autumn, however, writes, "Say, is not absence death to those who love?" 

I grieve, but I need to get on. Life has quickly, lovingly, spread out the world at my feet, so I must savor the new flavors, the new colors, the new adventures that are hurtling my way. No time to mourn. Carpe diem!

To reach Ulaanbaatar (UB), Mongolia, where I live, my daughter Ysabelle travels from Scotland to England, boards an Air China plane in London Gatwick to Terminal 3 in Beijing. A little bit of a delay there, but she lands safely at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport, here in UB.  A great big reunion, after more than a year of e-mails, long-distance telephone calls, text messages and Skype sessions. 

Ysabelle and I by the Tuul river. Ulaanbaatar on the background.

                                                  ULAANBAATAR CITY TOUR

Sukhbaatar Square - government house and the statue of Chinggis Khaan on the background.
The man on the right is wearing the traditional Mongolian costume called deel. 

Blue Sky Hotel transforms UB's skyline

The old and the new - State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet next to Central Tower. Central Tower  houses some of the most expensive designer names in town: Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Pierre Cardin, Swarovski, Ermenegildo Zegna, L'Occitane and more. There are also fine dining options inside the building like Monet, the French restaurant on the 17th floor. 

The Beatles monument fronting the State Department Store - why a monument to them?  One must delve into the history of Mongolia's youth and how The Beatles kept their hopes alive during the 60's-70's. 

Ysabelle tries on a real fox fur hat at the State Department Store -
wearing real fur hats or coats keeps one from freezing in -45C or below 

Ysabelle surrounded by colorful caps at the Black Market (Naran Tuul)

Well-fed pigeons at the Gandan Khiid (monastery)

Ulaanbaatar from my window - ger district on the mountains beyond

Ysabelle's heart drawing on the window - and the sun setting over UB

                                                                           

Zaisan Memorial - 300 steps to climb, a symbol of Mongolian-Russian friendship.
 On top, one gets to see a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. Worth one's efforts. 

Giant golden Buddha statue made of juniper - Buddha Park at Zaisan