Disqus - Latest Comments for bilgoon

Re: An Obituary for the Letter ‘E’

bilgoon — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 20:59:20 -0000

Shouldn't it be: “Being E-free,” agrees Sthr Dyson, a vntur capitalist ....

Re: Rumors of Starbucks & McDonalds opening in Mongolia

bilgoon — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:41:11 -0000

yep, they are. still serving good coffee.

Re: Country of the Khans and iPhones

bilgoon — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:35:43 -0000

Great blog post! Agreed about crossing streets. UB is one of the most pedestrian-hostile cities that I have ever known. Apart from perhaps some parts of Jakarta, where you don't have sidewalks at all.

Re: Mongol race horse vs Hybrid race horse

bilgoon — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:29:03 -0000

the riders are also very young. some as young as 3-4 years old.

Re: Mongolian Hip Hop

bilgoon — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:20:26 -0000

LA. Around 17 secs in, you can see the Westin Bonaventure hotel.

Re: Procrastination and others /the Ponderanz edition/

bilgoon — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:00:43 -0000

Thanks for checking the blog out!

Re: Rumors of Starbucks & McDonalds opening in Mongolia

bilgoon — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:18:13 -0000

Probably not. I'm guessing they will be getting their ingredients from overseas, pre-packaged and frozen, to meet their requirements and consistency in taste etc. I do recall seeing some localized meals on the menu in Malaysia. Chicken with rice, I think?

Re: Rumors of Starbucks & McDonalds opening in Mongolia

bilgoon — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:15:35 -0000

true. i actually thought it WAS a branch of Ikh Mongol. They copied well.

Re: Procrastination and others /the Ponderanz edition/

bilgoon — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:38:10 -0000

Once during a speech at Cafe Amsterdam, UB, the author Baabar mentioned how it would take an entire book to explain the so-called nomad mentality of Mongolians.

This lack of plans has an unfortunate but inevitable percolating effect on everything else. While one may plan ahead, everyone else that affects your business and your affairs do not, so when they eventually get around to executing their last-minute plans with probable last-minute changes, one has revise the previous plan or just plain improvise.

I do miss blogging more often, but it's been taking a backseat to my day job, unfortunately.

Re: Football Fever

bilgoon — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:49:32 -0000

The other language is Arabic.

Re: News Update: Freezing Cold in Mongolia

bilgoon — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:16:42 -0000

coal smoke and car exhaust, not very high-end Frenchy, huh. i guess it would sound exotic to people who haven't been to UB.

Re: News Update: Freezing Cold in Mongolia

bilgoon — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:15:04 -0000

yes, i'd say so. then again, i came back around october last year. it wasn't as cold last year i reckon

Re: News Update: Freezing Cold in Mongolia

bilgoon — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:12:55 -0000

I'm just counting down the days till it gets warmer and I don't have to run out to heat up the car every couple of hours. It does seem so much colder this winter though.

Re: Curfew November

bilgoon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:48:02 -0000

hmm that's a bummer eh. i'm sure a lot of people spent some time on those boards at one time or another that we'd be surprised to learn.

Re: Curfew November

bilgoon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:47:10 -0000

yes, because of the swine flu. everthing's closed by 9pm, including bars, supermarkets etc.

Re: Su. Batbold instated as the 26th Prime Minister of Mongolia

bilgoon — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:24:40 -0000

Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll test out the Cumulus flash widget soon. The label cloud is getting a little cloudy these days.
Cheers,
Bilguun

Re: Su. Batbold instated as the 26th Prime Minister of Mongolia

bilgoon — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:28:42 -0000

hehe, so you did. his wife's running the hotel and looking after his business interests now, i heard.

Re: More on Louis Vuitton

bilgoon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:52:59 -0000

I'm not saying she isn't allowed to own an LV bag. But realistically, how many herders can afford a US$3000 bag? And more realistically how many of those who can afford US$3000 would spend their money on a bag? There may be herders who have livestock worth a lot of money, but life for them has many risks. Draughts and zuds happen, it's not like owning a house. One harsh winter comes along and hundreds of heads of a herder's livestock die.

The thing is, the ad perhaps was done to simply publicize LV's Mongolia branch to people in Europe for example. They may see the combination of old culture, luxury product and a young nation in these photos. But to Mongolians, it's an unrealistic depiction that's all. LV is an aspirational brand. If they want to sell to the rich Mongolians who might buy LV, they'd use images these Mongolians aspire to.

Re: More on Louis Vuitton

bilgoon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:04:49 -0000

Snuff tobacco containers or khuurugs are not considered chinese bling-bling by Mongolians. It holds a ceremonious significance, and has become an important part of the Mongolian culture.

I can't say the same thing about LV bags or any other brands. If you were put a khuurug next to an LV bag and ask a herder which he'd rather spend his money on, I don't think the brand name would matter match. Luxury brands' exorbitant prices owe more to brand perception and awareness than workmanship. Of course there is superior workmanship involved but not enough to justify the price, i.e. a bag of the same quality as LV's without the LV logo would not cost US$4,000. Sure, a small (a very small) number of the herders may be able to afford that much, but why would they ever want to pay US$4000 for a bag when they can get it for $40? After all, a bag does not hold the same cultural significance as a khuurug or a ger nor does it offer the same utility as a car, motorcycle etc. It's just a bag. Unless it has some kinda magical powers.

Re: Luxury Brand Explosion in Mongolia

bilgoon — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:30:06 -0000

Interesting way of looking at it. Personally, I am neither for or against luxury brands coming in. Yes, it is somewhat symbolic of our growing economy, it is also symbolic of Mongolia becoming just another consumerist society. In very very small steps, of course, but it may after all be where we're headed. Sustainable development will not be very easy if we do that.

As far as McDonalds is concerned, it's a good thing they're not here yet.

Re: Oyu-Tolgoi deal to be signed on the auspicious double-Nyam day

bilgoon — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:49:46 -0000

Thanks. Will update the post with the link.

Re: Oyu-Tolgoi deal to be signed on the auspicious double-Nyam day

bilgoon — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:06:09 -0000

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.

Re: Oyu-Tolgoi deal to be signed on the auspicious double-Nyam day

bilgoon — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:55:34 -0000

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.

Re: Khusugtun: Central Asian blues

bilgoon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:16:00 -0000

That's great. I think we're beginning to see a new generation of modern Mongolian artists. Still hunting for a Khusugtun CD though. There'll be a follow-on definitely :) Thanks

Re: Old Photos: Marshal Choibalsan and others

bilgoon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:11:51 -0000

In the traditional Mongolian script, or uigurjin Mongol i suppose. Why Georgia?