deprived ahay

mongolia is a landlocked country, freezing for a good part of the year.  the mongolian countryside is green only for about four months, during which period farmers are able to plant and harvest wheat, potatoes, a few variety of vegetables (carrots, onions, cabbage, beetroot, garlic). 

GDP growth is heavily concentrated and dependent on mining and livestock.  agriculture figures much less. so does manufacturing of consumer goods such as textile, processed food, etc. we here thrive on imports including seafood, fruits and veggies.

expensive naturellement. a major challenge for pinoys who crave for bagoong, daing and tuyo, ampalaya, hipon, alimango, galunggong, hasa-hasa, tanguigue.  every now and then we get our shrimps or mackerel frozen from korean shops.  

beef, however, is excellent and burgers can be had with thick, juicy patties sans extenders.  these are are usually in the menus of mid and up-scale restaurants. mcdonalds, kfc and the like  havent  found their  way in. perhaps the market is too small, mongolia’s population being only 3 million.  young mongolians and expats, usually tourists, make do with bb burger, a local fast food joint. we’ve been waiting for kenny rogers to open for months, but construction of the restaurant seems to have been halted — economic crunch perhaps. 

last month i brought from seoul some mcdo cheeseburgers.  several pinoy friends who were at the airport shrieked with delight.  they haven’t had this junk for soo very long.  jollibee might just have brought the same degree of “appreciation” or perhaps more. ahay ….