Dulamsuren is the Mongolian version of Jeff’s mother. She is constantly busy puttering around – milking the cows at dawn, hacking up bits of sheep carcass for stew, peeling potatoes, wiping the linoleum floor. She never stops moving, because if she did (we surmise), she would become too frigid for comfort.
A woman’s work is never done if you are raising a family on the steppes. To Mongolian nomads it’s just daily life, but for us, everything is exotic: from drying goat milk curd to weaving rope out of horse hair, there is always something to be done. And just when you think you’re finished for the day, a neighbor walks in, and you have to whip up a batch of fermented mare’s milk.
So here’s to you moms everywhere – be they in Poulsbo, Washington, Starkville, Mississippi, or the far reaches of Outer Mongolia.
For more Mongolia photos click here
Showed the kids the pictures this morning and then looked up Mongolia on the map. Thanks for sharing! You know me – always interested in moms and babies. Did you see any children? Babies?? How do they keep them warm? I have read articles on Babies in Mongolia… very interesting and Breastfeeding is the GOLD standard unlike in America. Please tell Amanda I am really not crazy – but help moms with this. You know – Jeff. Thanks again for posting – the kids love seeing the pics!!
Ashia, we didn’t see any babies, but we did see teenagers. I believe when kids are old enough for kingerdarten they go to school in Ulaanbaatar during the winter. As for keeping warm… they bundle. We saw kids, even on the warmest day there, head to toe in ski suits. And breastfeeding – Mongolians LOVE their milk of any kind I think – cow, mare, camel, sheep, goat. I’m sure that includes moms too.
My beloved Glaytons… I miss you so but your adventure looks so… adventurous! Amanda, I can’t say I see the resemblance with you and your Mongolian mother, but I do see how you’d be a welcome addition to the family. I can just picture you feverishly knitting away your summers to prepare everyone for winter. Do I see a new start up in your future? 😉 Love and miss you both tons, can’t wait to read more tales, and see more tails! What will you ride next???
Well it is our honeymoon… What do you think I’ll ride next? 🙂 We miss you.
Thanks for your reply and look forward to more awesome pics. Safe travels. Suppose to get into the 30’s tonight in P-Bo. Wood stove a goin.