My blind date

The most common question Mongolians ask me is, "Are you married?" After I tell them that I am neither married nor have a boyfriend some of them get a little worked up. I think this response is natural because they simply don't want me to become a crazy cat lady and I am almost over the hill at the ripe old age of 22.

My first supervisor at Shastin hospital would consistently introduce me to the young male surgeons. If one was already married she would shake her head, disappointed at the loss of a prospective husband for me. One of the other anesthesiologists also told me I needed to get married because to a Mongolian because I am here for so long. He also told me that I couldn't become a neurosurgeon because that is "men's work" and how would I take care of my family. However, eye surgery is still open as a career to me because he dubbed that "women's work." I still haven't figured out why he makes that distinction. When I asked him why he considered it women's work, he promptly changed the subject to teaching me Mongolian swear words. He also decided that this was best done by writing them down on random medicine boxes in the operating room.

So back to the real story. I made a joke about all of these people who want to find me a Mongolian husband to my tour guide Goto. What I didn't realize is that sarcasm is probably not the best idea with a non-native speaker. He asked what my criteria for a Mongolian husband is and this is what I came up with:

1) Between 22 and 28 years old.
2) Doesn't smoke.
3) Has a large herd of camels. 100+ is preferable.

One morning in the desert Goto walked into the ger and while I was still half asleep told me that I have a date tonight. He was completely serious.

That night I had a date with a 22 year old tour guide named Mugu. We walked to the cliffs and I invited him for tea in my ger.

The positive things about him are: He is 22, doesn't smoke, speaks English and studies computer science.

Best thing about him is his full name means Eternal Hero. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

The negative things about him: No camels (big strike against him) and he believes death is something women should never see. Earlier that day he stopped me from seeing a sheep being slaughtered which was something I was mildly interested in seeing. Do to this belief, I don't think we are going to work out long term. My (hopefully) future career as a doctor and him not thinking women should see death don't really match up.

Perhaps it is best if I don't come home with a husband. Especially because it is a Mongolian tradition that the bride makes the felt for the new couple's ger. I really don't know if my felt making skills are up to par.