As for now, she will stay with Byambaa until we find another solution. Or until it turns out that living with Byambaa is the right solution all along.
When I finally got to visit Nasa’s new (and my constant) home in the country side I was surprised to see her happy and in a light mood, laughing and chatting up a storm. I have never seen her that talkative, or self-sufficient. She would participate in conversations, in group- and household activities without having to be reminded or encouraged.
Nasa had repeatedly asked for her cow and yurt, so we organized the move of her belongings from her former foster family to Byambaa. Ayuraa had brought a mini truck and a couple friends for support. Byambaa had sent his new helper, the replacement for Vannie, on horse, to walk the cows to their new home.
The yurt was dismantled and on the truck in no time. The men had just taken the yurt apart, while everything inside the yurt sat on the grass, untouched, still in the round arrangement, with the stove in the middle.
Catching the cows was another story. Nasa’s original cow was behaving so difficult that the family, with Nasa’s agreement, decided to slaughtered her last summer. Nevertheless, Nasa still had her two-year old calf. As a surprise gift, Ayuraa choose another cow, so Nasa could contribute two cows to her new family. (What Ayuraa says goes! Nasa’s former foster family just nodded in accord when Ayurra suggested a second cow for Nasa. Cows are expensive!) I discovered that Ayurra is quite impressive as a cowboy, the way he threw the rope! After a good workout for everyone involved, the cows were tied up and ready to go. Or so we thought.
We drove back to Byambaa, Ayuraa and his truck left, we had dinner, watched TV – yes, they have a new 13” flat screen TV, with 12 channels of programming! – and went to bed. The man on horse, bringing the cows, never returned.
The next morning he came for his usual tea and reported about his struggle. He had managed to move the cows two miles within four hours and had finally given up when it turned dark. Like horses, cows always return. These two had no intention to move to a new home!
Nasa took it pretty lightly, but announced she’d go and fetch them. We had a hard time holding her back, as she was not concerned about walking the 8 miles, one way, with two unwilling cows. But on the other hand, no one wanted to call Ayuraa, to tell him to come back with his truck and helpers. Those are the moments I am relieved to life in a city and spared the hard ships of country life!
I am still waiting to hear how the story continues.
Photos by Temuulen Khos-Erdene
No comments:
Post a Comment