Empty Streets in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

A rather unusual site at the main vain of Mongolia's Capital: A carless Peace Avenue encouraged people to go out and stroll on the middle of the street. Even Nomin decided to turn down the volume of its giant lcd billboard opposite of the State Department Store, creating a rare peaceful atmosphere in the heart of Ulaanbaatar.
As announced in several media the carless day is an initiated by the World Health Organization to increase safety in the dense urban area. Although maybe a drawback for the local economy of shops and cafes, it might give a breathe of fresh air to the polluted city center.

Update: later in the afternoon there was a student rally and concert on Sukhbaatar Square
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technorati: mongolia

Khublai Khans Pearls

From the Dutch lowlands i was informed of this rather peculiar article in an Indian newspaper. While in Mongolia the quest for Chingis Khan's grave has still remained unsuccessful - to the happiness of most locals that is - , Abu Dhabi has a Mongolian treasure of its own:

A saltwater pearl insured for $5 million is due to be auctioned in May in Abu Dhabi. The 115-gram pearl is believed to have been the possession of the grandson of Ghengis Khan, the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan in the 13th century.
According to media reports, the pearl is expected to attract bids of up to $8 million. The head of a gemstone unit at Dubai central laboratory said the pearl dated back to the 12th century and originated in Mongolia

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technorati: mongolia