The city that never sleeps....(posting from the road)

I am sure some of you are wondering if I chucked it all and jetted off to NY based on the title of this entry? Well I have been to NY, and while it does have some interesting sights and cultural events it is truly Ulannbaatar, Mongolia that should hold the title of the ‘city that never sleeps’. Post offices open on a Sunday! There are several 24 supermarkets and most amazing of all to us Westerners...a 24 full service bank.

I had heard before setting off for this country that is "up and coming" in the world and I am here to report that nothing could be more true. As Western and other Asian companies look at new ways to exploit the minerals and coal that line this country, housing developments are popping up all over. A trip up to a viewpoint of the city allows us to see the traditional gers being surrounded by American-style gated sub-divisions. There is also a large American School that appears to have been recently constructed (looking for a new job Wicky?). There are also several plots of land that have been clearly been segregated for future developments.

But in addition to enjoying the banking and postal amenities that the city has to offer we took in a cultural performance of Mongolian throat singing. It truly is as odd as it sounds - men and women make a sort of guttural noise from the base of their throat in different octaves while a small band on traditional instruments provides accompaniment. In between songs, presumably while they are resting their throats, a troupe of dancers or a contortionist will entertain the crowds. I do have some video that I will post to facebook in the future (or here if I can figure out how).

After our Sunday night performance of throat singing, we headed to a Mongolian/German pub for a quick bite to eat – stopping on the way to do a little shopping….because the stores are open at 8pm on a Sunday! The pub was lively that night with locals and foreigners, excitedly anticipating the rock concert that was set to take place that evening. I being the elder of the group, not my music quotient was full from the throat singers, bailed before the Mongolian rock group took the stage. Pete and Fiona stuck it out and I reported back later. Apparently I missed quite a show as heavy metal music played on an electrified version of traditional instruments wowed the crowd.

One thing that I did note on my stroll back to the hotel was the lack of major chains…no Starbucks or McDonalds…just a Louis Vuitton and a Kenny Rogers Roasters ( I actually thought the latter was a fictional chain from Seinfeld). But I predict in the near future, when Ulaanbaatar is viewed on the same level as a Paris, Dubai or Hong Kong – there will be a Starbucks…trust me this will be the city of the future. If I haven't convinced you yet...the clear sign of an up and coming city...IKEA - coming soon.