Sain Bain uu? How are you?
I wanted to extend to any readers out there my deepest good wishes for 2010, and remind you all that the Mongolians celebrate the lunar new year, which is on February 14th this year.
It is an amazing time, when families come together to celebrate the end of winter, and embrace the new year with special food, a mad cleaning session, and fun.
There is much to do before a huge traditional feast
And of course, during Tsagaan Sar, you will have the chance to drink to fermented mare’s milk. Tsagaan Sar translates to “White Month” and yes there are several white foods to eat during this special time. Including some of this:
A bowl of Airag
Brace yourself; you might actually like it after a while. There’s also bansh, which are little baby buuz meat dumplings. You will eat hundreds of bansh, and lots of candy. Candy is practically a food group for two weeks near Tsagaan Sar. Get ready!
I won’t be providing tours until June 2010 at the earliest. But Mongolians are truly represented in their finest hour during this wonderful holiday. Kindness and respect for the interconnected web of life and community is most on display during this time.
I hope to some day be back for another Tsagaan Sar, but it will have to wait for the time being.
I will repeat my earlier offer to answer any questions you have about Mongolia.
Take care, and Happy New Year!
-Mark Rosenwald
More information can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsagaan_Sar
