Ed_Haynes

Regarding the Choibalsan Prize, only maybe 10 were ever awarded, though MANY more were produced, as the recent avalanche from the bank proves.

The document, outside. This scans badly, it is a much darker burgandy red, ane I am too jetlagged to fiddle with it.

Leaving tonight, more later.

One final one, shaky, sorry.

OK, maybe all else pales by comparison, but I'll try (hands still shaking and light bad).

Numbering? Complex.

Originally "No. 5__" but this has been erased and replaced with "No. 69".

Closeup of the juicy bits.

Ready for a non-PhotoShopped holy grail?

Yes, "1". "1".

Wonder whose it could be???

Number?

Not a good shot. Sorry. Hands shaking.

Have your hearts started again?

A few closeups.

Sorry if I am typing badly (OK, worse than usual), but I am shaking and still recovering. I met with one of the UB dealers today. No one we know.

Partial general view. Sit down. You have been warned.

Ohhhh. Nice one, Rick!

Lovely lovely groups. Thanks for posting.

Good news, Jani, and good luck. Remember: You are fighting for all of us!

Tell the Russian government that they're welcome to bid??

Annnnnd, if they've got an Irish Pub, has PIZZA crossed the Gobi?

Yes, and, to make it worse, a franchise is held for McD which is expected to open on or near Sukhbaatar Square this spring.

Too bad! You missed early spring here Ed! It's been and gone and back to winter again.

And does one dare ask...

what HAPPENED to the displaced occupant of the mini-mausoleum, then?

The commonly told is that they were removed late one night and the corpses disposed of "by Buddhist rituals" (which I'm sure neither of them would have much appreciated!) before the mausoleum was knocked down with equal secrecy. All done very low-profile and a good bit of after-the-fact resentment has ensued.

See: http://www.mongolianmatters.com/2005/08/co...sukhbaatar.html (which glosses over some of the secrecy and speed)

And, as it was:

The junior.

The senior.

Note his Khalkin Gol Medal?!?!

A couple of well-bemedalled chaps being interviewed on one of the morning TV talk shows (even as I type). Once again, I wish I knew Mongolian!

Hi Ed...

I dont care how many docs he signed...tell the old guy to loose the red jacket, its like soooooo 90's like....

Hey, it is warm(ish) - today's high -3 C (currently -25).

Since Chengiz Khan sits where the Subhbaatar-Choibalsan Masoleum used to stand until it was removed one dark night to make way for this new construction, one last look at Sukhbaatar may be in order. On the left of the statue (as seen here) are Subkbaatar's famous words at the time of the liberation of Ulanbaatar in Jul 1921: "If we, the whole people, unite in our common effort and common will, there be nothing in the world that we cannot achieve, that we will not have learnt or failed to do."

Although this new (from last summer) depiction of the Great Khaan seems to have a stylistic relationship to Jabba the Hutt?

. . . but he is now watched over (benignly?) by the status of Chengiz Khan and the new facade (what a nice word) in front of the central administration buildings.

. . . with a stirring scene of liberation on the pedestal . . .

At least Sukhbaatar is still here (so far) . . .