Our Study Nest

Just in case you'd like a visual of where we sit while at our computer...here it is. We had a great experience when we went out to buy the desk. First, we fortunately had Jessica with us. She's from Minnesota, too, and she and her husband have been here for seven months with the organization we're also with. She knows enough Mongolian to bargain the price for us and she knows the bus routes! So, the four of us struck out on the cold day (only kind of day we've had so far) and stood at the bus stop for 10 minutes.

Twenty minutes later we were out on the edge of town at a nice furniture store with many different vendors carrying all kinds of new furniture. We ended up finding this desk, bargained a price, and then the lady asked where our "machine" was parked. Oh, no, we took the bus. We'll carry the box (unassembled desk) on the bus. Did I mention we also had a floor lamp in a box and an office chair? We were planning to lug all that onto the bus...adventurous, yes? She looked troubled. No, we should have it delivered. The problem with that is that we don't have a "real address". There's no mail delivery to a lot of apartment buildings, just to post office boxes...hence, why create an address system? And, many streets don't have names. We just tell people we live across from "The Flower Center" and a four minute walk from Matt & Jessica's.

We insisted on the bus plan, just to make sure all the items actually arrived at our apartment. She continued to check into things and finally offered to have two men deliver the items to our apartment with someone directing them in the truck. So, we sent Jessica and Micah in the truck (only really room for three, but we had them squish four in). Jessica said that after she and Micah jumped in, the two young men laughed and said in Mongolian, "Oh, so now we are a taxi, too!"

Kevin and I caught the bus back and by the time we arrived, the delivery had taken place and the furniture was BEING ASSEMBLED by the delivery guys! Talk about service! Jessica said that a tip wasn't necessary because nobody tips in Mongolia, but we gave them each 1000 tugriks (don't we sound rich?!). Don't be fooled...1400 tugriks is $1USD. I felt cheap, but we were assured that would be fine.