Today was a good day. The sun was shining, it was (relatively) warm, and all the hatin' Mongols with their hate stares were out in full force, doing what they do best, namely hating. The new guy, Joseph, and I took a walk downtown in search of a good gear shop. You see I'm planning a trip to Khuvsguul Lake when my contract is up (soon, baby, soon!) so I'm taking pains to locate the proper gear necessary for such an endeavor. I've most of the basics covered. Alls I need now is some fuel for a camp stove and appropriate food. Still trying to think about how I'll pack for this but I got time.
We arrived at one shop that didn't have much of anything. However, we were in the area of a rumored Predator statue, so I wanted to go on a hunt. You see, I had heard of the alleged statue and I wanted to find it at least once before taking my leave. I mean how often do you see a predator statue? And in UB no less. I mean, how often to you find yourself in UB? Once in a lifetime, hopefully.
We floundered around uselessly, having only the vaguest of directions. Eventually we found a hostel and asked around. At first we were not understood, which provided a few moments of comedy. I believe Joe tried to explain the word "mandibles" to the man. Eventually we came together on "alien statue" and the man said "preDAtor" (emphasis on the second syllable. I shoulda guessed.) He pointed the location out on a map he gave us, not far. What's more he pointed out a much more useful gear shop. Double score. So, we found the fabled statue. Triumph at last.
Honestly, I was surprised. I expected a cheap plaster statue with shitty graffiti all over, damaged by weather and neglect. What we found was a foreboding figure of welded scrap metal, with bike chains for dreadlocks. All the details were present and true to my recollection: the shoulder mounted cannon, the skull necklace, etc. The best was how this monstrosity was located directly beneath the companies name. "Nothing says welcome to the Arizona Building like the Predator," says Joe. I was in stitches.
Inside was a similarly rendered figure of Hell Boy smashing the demon Samael. This one was only about a foot tall but made for a great pedestal piece. What a riot. I think the artist may be local, I've seen other such work. Me likey.
Other than that I've been caught up in preparations for my departure. Last weekend I knocked out another project on my to-do list. I took a hike and shot pix of some local graffiti art. See above. Peace.
