I walked to the hostel cos it wasnt too far. It was freezing, it has been around 1deg all day and when I went out for dinner it was snowing so I stopped at Mr Pizza.
I went out earlier to look for a tour to the east (most people go south to the Gobi) and to find a new SD card for my camera. I did find new SD but had to walk all the way to Fujifilm to get it cos no one else sells them. I have tried for 3 days. I put a post on LP looking for a tour and there might be a chance to get something happening in the next couple of days otherwise I will do it and come back here and do some washing before I go to Russia.
While I was out near the State Department store a kid tried to pick my backpack. I had it on my back and the important stuff is in locked compartment but the kid got into the other compartment. He didnt get anything and 2 girls warned me but I did not feel a thing. I chased after him but naturally he got away. If I see him again I will hand him over to the cops after I have a quiet word with him.
Got to Skype Ash today and should be with Chris tonight, then early night for me.
Kids: I forgot to tell you I went shopping yesterday. I bought you all a hat. The lady wanted nearly $100 each but with a bit of bartering and haggeling I got 4 for less than $30. You will love them they are real fashion statements, but dont I always get the good stuff for you.
It has been bitterly cold here today. the max got to 6deg and it has been snowing on and off all day. I went out this morning the the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. ( the 8th Bogd Khan, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII was the last king of Mongolia and lived here around about 1900) I stopped at Sukhbaatar Square on the way.( Damdin Sukhbaatar was the hero of the revolution and declared independance from China) It is a long walk to the Palace and it was snowing so I was bitterly cold. I went out in shorts cos I thought it would warm up a bit and I would get hot once I started walking. I got to the Palace early and had to wait outside for it to open. The wind was so cold I thought I would freeeze off some body parts. Inside was only marginally warmer. Inside there is a weird collection of stuffed animals and gifts given from other countries, once owned by the 8th Bogd Khan, It is a strange place. One item is a ger made from the skins of 150 Snow Leopards, they are nearly extinct now.
I came home to wrrm up and put on some more clothes and this arvo went to Gandantegchinlen, usually called Gandan Khiid. It is a working monastry here and in a building, about 4 stories high is the biggest Budda I have ever seen. (it is 26mtr high) It fills the entire building. I couldnt get a photo cos some old bloke was watching me like a hawk. Both places you are not allowed to take photos so dont tell anyone if you happen to see a couple.

I have been trying to organise a tour to the east since I got here but Im not having much luck. Everyone wants to go to the Gobi desert. Problem is the sights in the east are all a long way off the main roads so it means I need a car and driver at least. The G/H where I was staying wanted drug money for a tour or car. They wanted $70/day for a car and driver PLUS fuel. A guy who lives here contacted me on the net and wanted to come but he couldnt get money and "could you pay and I will transfer money into your account" That aint gonna happen. The people at the guesthouse were not too helpful, they had 2 people going to Gobi when I suggest they ask if they wanna come east they said "already booked Gobi cos that is where they wanna go". It probably is but they might not have been too fussed but guesthouse could smell 2 tours instead of 1.
Last night the couple next door were noisey, and banging on the wall. Then at 4 am they were talking loudly and walking around the place for ages then they had a wellington boot and went back to sleep. The bread for breakfast has been sitting there for at least a few days and the showers were cold. I moved out. I found a place called Idre's and booked a tour with him. It is bloody expensive but I will get to all the places I wanted to go and I been pretty cheap up to now. I spent a couple of hours trying to get the money. The ATM wont give me enough and the banks say they cant use my card cos it has a chip. I need to pay for tour and train ticket to Russia. Idre is OK with me pay half now and the rest when I get back.
Going on tour tomorrow for 5 days so dont know if you will hear from me before I get back here.