I had no idea why this was considered an auspicious day. In fact, it boggled my mind, because it falls on a Tuesday, and Mongolians won't even begin a trip on Tuesdays.
amstravels
· 2 months ago
So double-nyam trumps Tuesdays?
bilgoon
· 2 months ago
Supposedly. I should mention that yesterday there was a ceremony held at Bogd mountain by shamans. The purpose of the ceremony was to request the mountain's blessing on the agreement. And hoping the politicians read through the T&C thoroughly, perhaps.
susanfox
· 2 months ago
Ok, help me out here since I'm interested in learning about Mongol culture. What's the problem with Tuesdays? Must be tough on the guides and drivers who work for the tour companies.
And... this contract (or the three contracts) is such a momentous step, if I was a member of the Mongolian government who had responsibility for the agreement, I'd want every duck in the row (idiomatic saying for taking care of business: getting your ducks in a row) that I could find, auspicious days and whatever else. Heck, I'm nervous and I'm an American who lives in California. But I wish all good things for Mongolia as a result of this agreement.
bilgoon
· 2 months ago
It is considered a bad day to travel, invest money etc. From the same Buddhist calendar origins as the nyams, I believe. Kazakhs of Mongolia don't move on Tuesdays and Fridays either. It's what Mongolians call "Chas udur" or Час өдөр, which just means an inauspicious day. Well, the agreement's seen its share of opposition. An organization called the Coalition of the Opposition Forces held a press conference and expressed their opposition to the Oyu-Tolgoi deal, on the grounds that, like the Boroo Gold deal, the Oyu-Tolgoi deal will not benefit the Mongolian people and will make no contributions to the economy. I am not sure how popular they are, or whether their accusations have any grounds. This being Mongolia, everyone fears the very real possibility of the above taking place. Unfortunately, waiting to put forth your arguments the day before the signing of the agreement and threatening to throw tomatoes at the Ministry building don't help their cause any bit.
All Comments
And... this contract (or the three contracts) is such a momentous step, if I was a member of the Mongolian government who had responsibility for the agreement, I'd want every duck in the row (idiomatic saying for taking care of business: getting your ducks in a row) that I could find, auspicious days and whatever else. Heck, I'm nervous and I'm an American who lives in California. But I wish all good things for Mongolia as a result of this agreement.