Mongolia - Image kindly provided by Danielle Rubi & Stewart+Brown
I'm told that the experience of going to Mongolia is more appropriately described as stepping into another century. About forty percent of the country's population continues to live a traditional nomadic lifestyle, looking after farm animals and managing to coexist in harmony with the environment.
When I'm thinking Mongolia, I am daydreaming about the vast land of blue skies, Ghengis Khan, yurts, camels and dinosaurs at the Gobi desert, horse galloping, camping, hiking and of course, delicious cashmere!
But today, I'd like to promote a couple of unexpected Mongolian finds in perfect "Gypsy Girl" style.
The Mongolian Buryat Band: I was lucky enough to see their performance at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco recently. Their music is a beautiful prayer. The incredible singer Badma KhandaIkh is accompanied by four other musicians playing exotic instruments such as: horse-head bass, harp, horse-head fiddle, iochin dulcimer, yatag zither, the lute; and are lead by throat singer and flute master Battuvshin Baldantseren. I'm not exactly drawn to art-folk music, but these guys took my breath away and literally had me in tears by the end of their show. Here is a link to their CD in partnership with trumpet player Roswell Rudd.
My find of the week: Stewart & Brown and their Mongolian cashmere collection. Could this be the perfect opportunity to indulge and get some warm, soft and stylish treasures? San Francisco's winter is promising some really cold nights this year (currently predicting 20F over the weekend). My favorites are these gloves and shoes! Gypsy Girl Style all the way! Make sure you do not miss the about and sketch book sections. Their mission and art are equally inspiring!
Last but not least (oh goodie, was that a cliche phrase for Poetry Thursday??), another great indie biz link: Check out Danielle Rubi's photography site. I am in love with her portraits and she is responsible for a lot of the eye candy on Stewart Brown's site, including the images shown here (Thanks, Danielle!).
Hope everyone is having a fantastic week. I'm having a hard time concentrating on anything rather than beautiful images and words on the web...
* Images used for this post were kindly lent by Danielle Rubi and Stewart+Brown. Thank you!
Comments (9)
The Mongolian throat singers are amazing!
I saw a movie called Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl, and although it was such a sad movie, the cinematography of the scenes in Mongolia were absolutely amazing! Made it one of my absolute must places to visit some day...
Thanks for all the great links!
Posted by Regina Clare Jane | January 11, 2007 6:41 PM
Posted on January 11, 2007 18:41
Yummmmm, I want those booties!
Some days all I want to do is trawl the internet looking for beautiful words, images, ideas, and businesses.
I've decided to start thinking of it as kind of on-line inspiration time, a kindof research that fills up my bucket so that I can pour myself out again when I venture back into the world.
I no longer think of it as procrastination or wasting time, unless I really am procrstinating!
I'd love to do yoga with you, I find it a discipline to get on the mat here in the cold and all alone, but I always feel good when I've made the effort.
Posted by Frida | January 11, 2007 9:15 PM
Posted on January 11, 2007 21:15
Ah, I was out in Mongolia in April/May last year (my gosh ... time has flown). Things are really much more developed than I expected. I did go out - ride through the Gobi desert and even stay with a family. It reminded me of a slightly more hostile Wales ... losts of sheep and rolling plains.
Anyway, eveyone would huddle around the fire at night and take turns singing. Breathless and heartfelt - each and every one of them. That suprised me the ... the music. I might just buy one of the those CDs. I have never heard anything like it before or after.
Posted by lacithecat | January 12, 2007 1:13 AM
Posted on January 12, 2007 01:13
I have always, and I mean ALWAYS wanted to go to Mongolia. I have a most amazing Mongolian puppet. And I have always wanted my very own yurt. But if I get the yurt, I promise I would invite you to come in, dear gypsy friend.
Posted by Maryam in Marrakesh | January 12, 2007 5:28 PM
Posted on January 12, 2007 17:28
Yes, Mongolia does seem magical, as if it is caught in Time. I've never been there but I imagine it the same as you do. I couldn't find the Mongolian Buryat Band on Myspace so I'll see if itunes has sample songs.
Those grey socks and hoodie from Stewart & Brown are really beautiful! And you're right, the photographs are stunning.
Posted by susanna | January 12, 2007 6:22 PM
Posted on January 12, 2007 18:22
For those of you who dream of yurts like me... And are in the area... Check this out:
A favorite place of mine in Big Sur:
http://www.treebonesresort.com/
Posted by Alex aka Gypsy Girl | January 12, 2007 6:31 PM
Posted on January 12, 2007 18:31
hi alex,
so glad i found your site over here. i'm in oakland and go into san fran often. would LOVE to meet you over tea some time!
Posted by kelly rae roberts | January 12, 2007 7:12 PM
Posted on January 12, 2007 19:12
hi alex,
so glad i found your site over here. i'm in oakland and go into san fran often. would LOVE to meet you over tea some time!
Posted by kelly rae roberts | January 12, 2007 7:12 PM
Posted on January 12, 2007 19:12
Hiya Alex!
It's relaxing (even though I'm not wearing those comfy clothes you love :), to read of your travels. I've not been able to travel the world, so thank you for the interesting information, tidbits, and lush photography. I thought I already linked you so I'd remember to return to your site more often, but I forgot to "save" that, until this morning when I went to click on my blogroll and noticed an Alex hole. It's filled!
I think you'd write a terrific travel log book!
Posted by gel | January 14, 2007 4:09 AM
Posted on January 14, 2007 04:09