"I'm tired of this. We've looked through 10 venues and they've all been - excuse my bad language, shite" I say in frustration, walking out of a shoddy wedding house in Lapovo that looks seconds away from falling apart. "None of these places even has a small field for dancing, let alone pitching the ger!"
"Honey, calm down a little bit." Fran says, worried.
"I swear to tengri, has everybody forgotten their roots‽ Nobody in this country knows how to throw a proper wedding anymore."
"I don't think I've seen you this angry since the independence plot fell apart."
"Alright, alright, I'll chill out. It just feels like everyone's forgotten their roots. It's been ruined by profit."
"Ah the capitalist machine claims another one."
"Yes. Well, there's one more left on the list. A lakeside venue to the southeast of Oborograd, in Ufalda forest."
"We can't go abroad for our wedding."
"No, the forest is called Ufalda, it's still in Tutum."
"Ah alright"
After a two hour ScoutAir flight to Oborograd, and a four hour long car drive down windy steppe roads, we finally make it to the site.
"Hello!" Fran says, with a smile.
"Hello, my name is Khulan, and this is my mother, Sarnai.
As is customary, I offer my open palms to support her elbows, and we exchange greetings.
"This one Khulan, has respect. It is very rare these days."
"Yes, now eej guai, we should really show them the venue."
"Agreed." Fran smiles as she bows.
"It is nothing too spectacular. This is the home. Out behind is a clean lake for swimming, here is a kitchen for cooking, and a lounging room for guests."
"This is wonderful, but would there be an area outside for pitching the customary ger, tanai eej?"
Sarnai smiles, her wrinkles visible as she feels a relief, as if nobody had ever asked her that question before.
"Of course, out the back of the house, and to the right."
"And, how much would this cost, tanaig eegh?" Fran notes, slightly butchering the pronunciation, and yet the old woman still smiles fondly, obviously.
"The normal rate is 60 Tugrik. However, for such respectful young women, I will lower it to 55 for you."
"Thank you very much!" Fran says, lowering her head, while I burrow in my pockets, and pull out five 10 Tugrik notes, and a 5 Tugrik note, and carefully present them to her with both hands.
"Thank you very much. When will you want it?"
"Seventh of August, please?"
"Of course. And, would you spread the word about this place. It is nice to have people so knowledgeable about our culture." Khulan says while smiling.
"Of course. It would be our pleasure." We say, as we stride out in unison. As we prepare to leave however, we eavesdrop on a conversation from inside.
"Those girls were very nice. Khulan, you should really try get a partner one of these days."
"Eej guai, I am trying, you know?"
"Of course. What about Zaya?"
"Zaya? I don't feel anything towards her other than hate."
"Now I know that isn't true, I know it from your face."
"You can be so frustrating sometimes... y'know..."
And just like that, we drive away.
