Our next adventure: Peace Corps Zambia

Our next adventure: Peace Corps Zambia 14 Feb 2011 | Reno, Nevada, USA (39.4975, -119.8016) I just wanted to give everyone a quick update as to what is going on. After a year of looking for work and having my State Department job fall through (don't travel to Cuba), Rasa and I are joining the Peace Corps and leaving this Monday the 14th for Zambia, Africa.  Unfortunately, internet will be hard to come by so I need to make some last minute changes in the way I deliver the blog. -- IMPORTANT -- Shortly after this message, you will receive a confirmation email from FeedBurner.  Please click on the link to confirm you would like to continue receiving my blog updates. This will be the last blog email you get unless your subscription is confirmed .  Again, sorry to do this but it is the best way to insure continued delivery. If you would like to receive even more photos, which are all posted to our gallery, please subscribe here. And most importantly, Rasa will be running a blog with a lot more written detail, please subscribe here. I have seven more posts for China and after that I will start Zambia and our new life in the village hut.  It should be fun so please continue reading and confirm the email from FeedBurner! Robert J Kent Jr- robjkentjr@gmail.com Environmental Resource Policy Adviser www.RobRasa.com Voice Mail: +1 (631) 458-1119 Skype ID: rob-rasa Sharing: Contact  |  Support Us  |  Home  |  Books              all content ©2006-2010 click to REMOVE your email Robert & Rasa's rubbernecking

Trans-Siberian Railroad

Trans-Siberian Railroad 02 Aug 2010 | Erlian, China (43.671845, 111.977119) Sad to finally be leaving Mongolia, we boarded the Trans-Siberian Railroad to Beijing.  After another 24-hour train ride in much better conditions than Kazakhstan, we woke up in China to our train being lifted off the tracks so the wheels could be changed to ride on the Chinese rails. The trains were rather nice considering this was only a 2nd class compartment car. This was our room, which normally sleeps four but we lucked out with only three people and a place for all our bags. Because I was nice, I gave Rasa the bottom bunk.  At least she could almost sit upright in this bed. We were so happy to hear that we had access to a dining car.  Again, the privileges of not riding refuge class. When the train comes in, it is lifted up; this long line of trucks is pushed under it, moving the existing wheels out of the way; and then the train is lowered on to its new wheels. Here are the men running along with the wheels as they are pushed under the train. Once all the Mongolian wheels are moved out of the way, the new trucks are lined up and the train is lowered onto them. This train ride was such an improvement over our last one with better beds, climate control and most importantly food.  The next morning we woke up in smoggy Beijing and not able to see across the block. Want more photos?!  Subscribe here to receive an email of all posted photographs. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment. Robert J Kent Jr- robjkentjr@gmail.com Environmental Resource Policy Adviser www.RobRasa.com Voice Mail: +1 (631) 458-1119 Skype ID: rob-rasa Sharing: Contact  |  Support Us  |  Home  |  Books              all content ©2006-2010 click to REMOVE your email Robert & Rasa's rubbernecking

Nadaam Festival

Nadaam Festival 11 July 2010 | Ulan Bator, Mongolia (47.9022, 106.9162) During the day of main events, a group of us walked around the stadium area to watch the games.  Once we fought through the traffic jam at the entrance, it was just a short walk to all the colorful games that make up the heft of Mongolian culture. The official color guard holding the national pennant during the general's opening ceremony inspection. One of the Buddhist deities during the Tsam Dance at a cultural show Rasa attended. Unfortunately, we did not make it out to the countryside to see the horseraces but we did see these two bypassing a traffic jam in the city.  I guess Mongolia does not forbid talking on a mobile while riding. Wrestling is the major event during Nadaam.  Without tickets this was about as close as I could get to the action during the preliminary trials. Everyone lining up to take the first shot in the women's competition. An archer lining up the arrow for his shot at the winning prize. This was one of the smaller games of the competition; the ankle bone toss.  The team flicks an ankle bone at a target for points.  Exciting stuff! Nearly escaping a major downpour at the end of the day, it proved to be a very fun event despite our worries about going there.  We heard many warnings about pickpockets at the games but we did not have a single problem and will be leaving the country unmolested for China on the Trans-Siberian railroad next week. Want more photos?!  Subscribe here to receive an email of all posted photographs. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment. Robert J Kent Jr- robjkentjr@gmail.com Environmental Resource Policy Adviser www.RobRasa.com Voice Mail: +1 (631) 458-1119 Skype ID: rob-rasa Sharing: Contact  |  Support Us  |  Home  |  Books              all content ©2006-2010 click to REMOVE your email Robert & Rasa's rubbernecking