Nadaam day one. (11-07-09)

Well what can I say about Nadaam? We went to the opening ceremony today and it is was mind blowing. You can feel the heartbeat of the people running throughout this festival.After the Communist suppression and purges of the last 50 years (where even the name of Chinngis was banned) it was amazing to witness the great out pouring of National pride that is Nadaam. What really touched me is the fact that the Mongolians are take such pride in who they are, it seems to be inate and I think they have a lot to be proud of.
The opening ceremony weas fantastic. There were traditional dancers, a speech from the President (I got shoved, very heavy handedly, out of the way by his body guard!) and my most favourite part...the horses! Now anyone who knows me will tell you that I find horses very frightening but the synergy between man and beast and the AWESOME!!!! formation riding proved why these guys are known as Lords of the Horse. After the state banner was brought in and planted, the horse display started. It involved a rider dressed as Chinngis (Chinngis in Ghengis' Mongolian pronounciation, the other is Persian) who actualy got his horse to bow to the state banner! Then you also had the acrobatics display on the back of the horses.
I have to say Nadaam is a feeling. I could sit here and try for a hundered years, using a billions words, t describe it but it is experiential. The wrestling was quite unlike anything I have ever seen. It is very definately a game of strategy over brute strength. Jess (our tour leader) says that some people find it boring, but the incredable nuances make it fascinating to watch. Apparently last years final bout went on for two hours! The one before, four so they've had to put a cap on the time a final is allowed to go on.
The we moved onto the archery. There are so many things I love about this sport...but the most incredible thing is to look at the bow stock when it's not strung, it's straight! The tension from the string gives it classic, and beautiful, recurve shape.
The anklebone shooting was also something else. It is a sport where sheep, or goat, anklebones are flicked at a target. From what I could see you have three competitors that take it in yurns to "shoot" there bones off a polished wooden palett, who ever hits the target wins the round.
After that we came back to UB geusthouse to sleep, relax, whatever and then Rob, Robert, Brian, Bellinda, Tess and myself went out for dinner. We went back to Cafe Amsterdam and had a great laugh. Then we went on to the Budwiser bar to meet up with Jess and the rest a the crew to have a relax and drink before the fireworkers over Sukhbataar square. The fireworkers were awesome, where they were set off over the hills outside UB the sight lines were perfect, you didn't get a crick in your neck. Then off to be for an early start to day two of Nadaam...the horse racing.