Prayer wheels and delighted monks

This afternoon I visited Gandan monastery again (see also blog Yellow water) with some of the other volunteers.

It was the third time I went there, but the first time I was asked to pay an entrance fee. I suppose they only ask foreign-looking people to pay. Buddhists who come to practice their religion surely enter for free.






There were quite a few people, some tourists but mainly Mongolians, but in spite of the many visitors the atmosphere was just as peaceful and relaxing as the last time I was there.

We ventured into a building a little to the side, and there we were welcomed by monks who seemed quite delighted to be the subject of attention of a group of ladies.

Ulaanbaatar is dusty, it's not a green city, it really can't be with an average annual temperature below zero (it's the coldest capital in the world) and the very dry climate. However, brave efforts are being made to create some green (small) spaces that perhaps remain dusty but at least they are green!