Monday, July 30, 2007

Mongolia

When I first gave serious thought on setting up a blog to call my own, I visualised it was going to be a no-holds-barred sosio-political thing. And then get it listed in SOPO Sentral. But, since I don’t have what it takes to be a political analyst, I should just stick on something dearer to my heart, the wheelchair. I mean, I may still get some hits from them Mongolian chics, right?

The other day, one of Astro’s channels was showing a script-less Mongolian movie. The impression I get about the said country was the major part of the land is flat and covered with grass. Then I looked it up on Wiki and found this- 'country contains very little arable land as much of its area is covered by arid and unproductive steppes with mountains'‘.

Tough being a crippled on wheelchair I imagine. I should just stop bitching around how inaccessible some buildings here are. But then again, maybe not.

But just look at them. Geographically, quads will find it almost impossible to move around. They don’t even have much grouses to rally about. But even if they do, on the placards and banners would have something written like, 'More Makeshift Ramps To Get Onto our Llamas'. Or, 'Buck Up Telcos. Lower Price For Matches And Blankets. Higher And Better Generated Smoke For Long-distant Signals'.

They travel about on horses so I’m quite sure there has been many cases involving spine-breaking fall occurred.

Oh, and apparently they’re famous for their Khoomii, or ‘throat singing’. Whatever that means. I wonder if they have karaoke lounges there, and everyone will be like, singing their throats out.

Mongolia declared independence in 1911. that’s close to 50 years earlier than us and yet they’re far behind economically. It’s got to be, right? I couldn’t be bothered to scroll down further as it is close to 3am now.

Maybe I could learn more stuff Mongolia from those Police personnel down at the high court.

IF, the building is disabled-friendly that is.




27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hehe, nicely written bro...I get your drift. But then, mana ada llama kat Monggolia da? - amir

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

amir, brother...

aisehh..are you sure? that says alot how little i know about this beautiful country, until recently of course, for obvious reason.

thank you.

Light said...

Eh...I think Llama is Tibet lah. But Mongolia and Tibet kan neighbors. My geography also teruk already. Left it at sekool!

When i read your post title mongolia I had sudden flashback of gucci shade wearing mataharis!!!!

btw, even if llama / kuda, you will have no worries. since it's basically a flat land kan, just hitch your wheeler behind the beast and you are already like gladiator!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

kerp...Countries around that area are proud to maintain their traditions cultures and heritage for centuries ...but quite difficult now with so much advancements in science and technology. Go there ...you will feel God is near to you...so pure and simple.
Yes..without the murder case...no one will talk about Mongolia. You have not miss much..if you have not visited .....as for money's worth...lots of other countries are like before and more and perhaps more suitable .
Are you planning to go there?

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

la cucaracha,

yea perhaps that was where I got it all confused. but surely there are Llamas in orkhon or bayankhongor or some other of its weird provinces somewhere.

thanks..!!

Mr Goh,

Agreed. Pure and simple. That makes a country even more appealing.. they are so different culturally but Its always a good thing to learn new things foreign. If I have the means, i’d love to spend some time there, via CHINA that is. The only country I’ve pledged to set my wheels on atleast once in my lifetime.

Thank you.

Unknown said...

What an irony if the Mongolians decide to to call us barbaric for the way their citizen was treated here.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

cikgu,

tengs kiu for drops bai. good prestasation..hahaha..

things been rather mongolian for me lately. from a movie to carpets, from the travel channel to the on-going trial. so i thought i'd put it down somewhere.

thanks.

Light said...

orkhon and bayan-apa-khon? Never heard. But then I've not only left my geography in school but my memories' also a sieve.

Eh, don't the Mongols drink yak milk and eat yak cheese?

Anyway, the most popular Mongolian pre-altantuya days used to be khublai khan.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

Yo La Cucaracha,

Orkhon and that other Bayan something something are 2 of many provinces can be found there in Mongolia.

Hey, and I think yaks are more common there in tibet. But I could be wrong.

I believe the mongols drink horse’s milk too. Not sure about its meat. I mean, or else they’ll be short of transportation.

Thank you.

Light said...

Bit like the camels and the bedouin relationship eh? I believe camel kebab is found in Morroco but the bedouins in the desert do not consume it's meat. Only by products like milk / cheese. Guess the beasts of burden are revered as such.

Daphne Ling said...

Hey Danny,

You know, I always thought that Mongolia was full of grassy plains and rocky mountains and had lotsa cows/sheep/horse, erm, four-legged animals used for meat and transport...

And very, very cold...

Many of my friends were worse, they said "Barbarians"...

I guess we were all influenced by the stories of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan...

But having met some Mongolian friends, I found that they're real modern too...In fact, one guy-friend said their cities are all like KL...

Of course I can't vouch for that!

Thanks for sharing though, and no lar, you didn't insult me (in my blog)...We were thinking the same thing, just that we said it in differnet ways...

You said it directly, I said it metaphorically...

Huh...What did they say about great minds again?

*Grins*

Anonymous said...

Kerp,

I was in Mongolia in 1997; part of a business entourage.

Then, it wasn't so 'developed' but lovely hills and valleys where horse riding skills and bow-and-arrow shooting are paraded in front of tourists.

Like so many of my visits to ex 'socialist/communist' countries, I like walking in the 'supermarket' aisles. Much to my discomfort, most are empty and one couldn't get a projected glimpse into the life style of the middle class.

My guess then was pervasive poverty on terms of material wealth but at least the Mongolians appear happy judging by the frequent smiles and laughters.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

La cucaracha,

Yea, something like camels and the bedouins. Or sherpas and their…err, Yeti.

Daphne,
My perception changed completely in the lights of the on-going high-profile case. With branded goods and expensive accessories flashed during the early days of the trial, they sure are modern lots alright.

Daph, you have no idea how bad I felt when I first read tiara’s comment. Swear to god I had nothing to do with her. And the last thing I want is to hurt someone’s feeling here.

Got your email and glad we’ve sorted it out. I owe you one. Thanks.

Botak, bro,
Wow, sounds like you’ve rounded the globe. Very informative indeed.

Let me guess, you can actually find rare war-paraphernalias in such markets, if that was what you meant. Someone bought me the red CCCP tshirt which I find it cool.

Thanks for dropping by, guys.

Anonymous said...

Hi every one!

My apologies for and out-of-topic message: but webtv8 at http://wtv8.tv/v1/ had a one-on-one with Raja Petra ealier today (31.07.07) and is now screening the first part under ‘now showing’; watch it on the main screen. - Amir

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

no problem amir...and thanks.

Salt N Turmeric said...

decided to come here fr daphne's blog. love reading ur posts! the way u write ... very non-chalantly like tht! ;) cant wait to read more.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

hi princess. wow, all the way from orange county.

to be honest, i cant think of anything to write at this moment. hmm...

thanks for dropping by anyway.

Nadia said...

Dude, llamas are in Tibetlah. Hehe. Mongolia banyak horsies. ;) But I could be wrong... hrmmm....

Light said...

Eh Sherpas and their edmund hillaries lah! tenzin apa-tu??? Hahaha!

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

nadia,

perhaps the government distributed APs fair and square amongst the mongols to bring in the llamas from tibet and calls it transportii.

la cucaracha,

tenzin nolgay. guess how i got that name stuck in my head since i first read it.

Daphne Ling said...

Hey Danny,

No, don't feel bad...Cos then you'll make me feel bad...

Im glad you pointed that out actually (that the little girl was crying for help. You were the first to realise!)...I guess you didn't follow my way of answering, and I apologise if you thought I was 'mad'...

As for Tiara, no worries...I know you had nothng to do wiht her lar...For some reason, she has insisted to see me as the enemy and there's nothing I can do about it lor...But I refrain from saying more, because it's not fair to, when she doesn't know about it...

I'm glad you know Im not mad too! And no, you don't owe me one!

*Hugs*

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

Daphne,

2 thumbs up to you, sister.

i know you've done a great job for xin and other adorable kids up there. to me, thats what really matter.

thank you.

zorro said...

23 hits! I dont even average that much buddy. So keep at it so that I dont have to remind you about vacilating! Dang, its 8.33 and its a Wednesday top-up time. Catch you, maybe tomorrow by the window.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

yo unc B,

2033 on wednesday night and you're still at home. let me see..

ahh, you got a new entry posted on mr Ooi.

well, have fun topping up. hope to catch you tomorrow at the garden.

tokasid said...

Regards to kerp:

1st time here via Daphne Ling's blog, buthad read ur comments at che'gu blog.

"Developed" or "undeveloped" is actually relative to that country and its ppl.

Yep from movies and documentaries, Mongolia appeared barren and nothing to offer. But the 'bomblast' case sure changed everything.

You take care and have a nice weekend.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

Tokasid @ doc,

What can I say. I’m honoured to have you crossed over here. Terharu.

Selalu jugak saya ke blog tuan. Tapi pegi untuk membaca je. Nak komen, segan…haha..

All the comments you made at KTN were all very informative. I know I can only learn more from you. terima kasih tuan.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...
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