Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

There’s an okay pizza joint across from the big MobiCom center named Broadway Pizza. Last week, while going to eat at a Zochin Buuz on Peace Avenue, across from the Russian embassy, I had one of those sudden, embarrassing moments of comprehension about something that I had seen countless times but never mentally processed. Next to that Zochin Buuz location is a small entrance with a sign “Broadway Pizza,” in the same wood-beam style as the MobiCom location. So last night for dinner I stepped inside. A large staircase led down to a huge, posh subterranean bar, full of Mongolian yuppies and a few foreigners. I took a stool at the end of the bar and ordered my pizza. Off to my left was a table speaking Russian; off to my right, a table speaking French; in front of me, the bar staff were speaking Mongolian... and I couldn’t understand why English was so strong in my head, until I realized that the sound system was playing American pop-rock music. A waitress told me that a table had cleared, but I opted to stay at the bar so that I could continue exchanging glances with one of the French-speaking women.

7 comments:

Susie Hemingway said...

I love this - for a moment you took me on your travels - thank you.
Regards Susie Hemingway

Radigan Neuhalfen said...

Thank you.

nessie said...

I agree...went right down into that basement with you for a moment...and I always adore your bits about the women you meet along the way...sounds like you've not 'settled down' yet!!
Just letting you know that I peek in on you from time to time---and when I stop to type, well then you KNOW that I'm in strong work avoidance mode!
Go ride a horse for me!

Anonymous said...

Hi What is yuppies mean?

Radigan Neuhalfen said...

"Young Urban Professional" = yuppie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuppie

Уламмандахын Билгүүн (Bilguun Ulammandakh) said...

It is amazing to read about Mongolia from foreigner's point of view. Gives me a whole new insight into my everyday life. I'm really enjoying this blog and happy that Mongolia can feel like a nice place to live for a foreigner. Thanks!

Radigan Neuhalfen said...

Thanks, Bilguun.