The Final Countdown

It's been a long week of goodbyes, bon voyages, farewells, and see-you-laters, but we've come to the final countdown in San Francisco. We fly out tomorrow morning!

In the mean time, we had a blow-out fun time in Cleveland complete with baseball game, feasts galore, a private boat tour on lake Erie, a ride in the rocket car, etc. in what oldest brother Ryan brilliantly orchestrated (and named) "From Cleveland to Mongolia Chamberlain Staycation Birthday Blowout!" A big thanks to the Rudolph crew for getting up early and joining us for the fun stuff and the somewhat underwhelming but informative adventure to the Natural History Museum photo exhibit, From Cleveland to Mongolia. And a special thanks to the Gruttadauria's for their help in planning and to Larry for banking what amounts to a couple year's salary for us in Mongolia. It was a blast seeing all of you and it was a very special send-off.

Memorial Day, we roasted weenies and 'smores with the Kings and Crams in Delroy, OH, then stopped off for some Luggie Loving in Columbiana, OH, then had an impromptu overnighter Tuesday with the Mehls in Boardman, OH, just up the road. We knew they all generally lived in the same area and loosely envisioned seeing all of them, but it worked out better than we could have ever planned. Thanks to all who fed us, allowed us to bathe, and who hugged us with enthusiasm. We're still holding on to two of those. Especially thanks to the Shaffers for making this trip possible by allowing us to drive their brand new Prius, and thanks to them for their above-and-beyond hospitality, love, and constant selfless giving.

Speaking of which, we both put on a little weight the last month, so we had to make an emergency run for some roomier clothes to accommodate for the extra American "culture" we're hoping to leave in Mongolia. From what we've learned, it shouldn't be tough to do, what with all the walking, stomach ailments and repetitive culinary specialties we can expect in our immediate futures.

Training was a blast (though elementary and repetitive), but we've already met some great people we can't wait to know better. Our buddy who lives in Monterey is coming up tonight for one final send-off. On the agenda is pizza, beer and repacking. Not necessarily in that order. We're under the 100lb weight limit, but one of us has too many bags according to PC regulations.

We'll be off the grid for a while during pre-service training (PST), but our goal is to get something out once a week, probably on a Saturday or Sunday, so stay tuned each weekend for the next 10 weeks unless otherwise noted.

We miss you already.

Nathan (and Leslie)

P.S. I think the address came out weird in the email we sent to everyone. For the first three months, it will be:

Trainee’s Name, PCT
Энх Тайвны Корпус
Тов шуудан
Шуудангийи хайрцаг 1036
Улаанбаатар 13
Монгол улс

P.P.S. Thanks, Carmella, for the coffee and the two dollars. It looks like we'll be able to spend it a couple times during training.

Georgi: Nathan's feet are 12.5" and Leslie's are 9.5".