November 1997 Part 1   The Deel --Nancy               The deel is the national dress of Mongolia, only varying in design and ornamentation depending on the wearer’s ethnic group or clan origination. The differences are so subtle that they usually go unnoticed to the untrained eye. The style is the same for both men and women. It is commonly worn on the street, although more by the older members of the population than the younger ones. The younger generation wear theirs on special occasions and national holidays. (page 152)     We were honored several weeks ago to be presented with our own deels. Enkhmaa’s mother, Tserendulam, a retired doctor, lives in the Gobi but came to UB to visit an ailing brother. She brought with her deels that she had made for John and I. While here, she came to dinner. Although it was the first time we had ever seen each other, the deels she had made for us fit perfectly. We were astounded! Not a measurement taken and they couldn’t have fit better than if they had been. (I mentioned this fact to one of the sisters in our branch and she said the first time she saw me she knew what size deel I’d wear.) Needless to say we were overwhelmed with these beautiful gifts and Enkhmaa was all smiles. (page 152)       The Hagues had a traveling companion with them who is on a very special adventure. He is a white, stuffed bear with a backpack over his shoulders. He started his travels at the Atlanta Olympics; in his pack is a log of all the places he has traveled and with whom. His name is Bear-lee There and he belongs to Mary N. Toop’s Franklin Middle School class in Yakima and is part of a geography lesson.(page 156)     Cold came today. When we walked to church this morning it was –20ºF. We had added a few things to our morning’s wardrobe in preparation for the mile walk: I put on my expedition weight long underwear bottoms and chose a cashmere turtleneck sweater instead of a cotton blouse. John put on thermal bottoms under his suit and searched out his fleece helmet to wear under his hood as he had determined when it got much colder he’d need something better than “the hat” for his ears. (page 160) <<< back    next >>>