Changing with the weather

Mongolians are very friendly people and more relaxed than others when it comes to time and schedules. While we—or at least I—who came from the city tried to work according to a schedule, the Mongolians seemed less concerned about it. We said we would have a welcome party at 9 p.m., but 9:10 came, and no one had arrived. The minutes went by, and it was 9:30 when we finally started the party.

At first, I thought Mongolians were less time-conscious because Mongolia is a developing country, but later realized that lack of development may not be the only reason they don’t pay as much attention to the clock. It could also be the unpredictability of Mongolia’s weather. In the morning, it may be sunny and hot, and then, in the afternoon, rain.

In the morning, it may be sunny and hot, and then ...

in the afternoon, rain.

One day, we visited the ancient capital of Mongolia. It was a fine morning, but dark clouds were looming in the distance.

Erdenezuu, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia,
was built in 1586 on the site of the country’s ancient,
13th-century capital.

By the time we finished our lunch and returned to the car to head back to our ger (traditional Mongolian tent), the weather was stormy, and our plan to ride horses and walk on the sand dunes of Little Gobi was postponed because of the wind and rain. (Tourists visit Little Gobi because of its sand dunes, which resemble those of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.) It became quite cold in the night for the same reason. So, if the weather keeps changing, maybe we shouldn’t blame Mongolians' flexibility with regard to schedules on the culture.

As I spend time here in the camp and with some of the local people, I am starting to understand the meaning of Mongolian time. What is the hurry? And what is a schedule? In a world where nature speaks with a louder voice, what does it matter if we spend a few more minutes, a few more hours doing other things, improvising our plans as we go along? Maybe, because of the weather, there will be an opportunity for an unplanned visit from a friend or guest.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.