I Grew My Boobs in China (50 page)

As if we didn’t have enough problems, Future then slowly turned around holding only half a key. He looked surprised, but not the least bit angry.

“Where is the other half?” I asked carefully.

“Is broking in ignition.” He’d bent it the night before locking the trunk, and now it had broken right off. “But is okay, I have spare,” he quickly continued.

“Oh good! Phew! Where?”

“At home.” When I laughed at what I thought must be another funny joke, Future did too, but then when I asked where the spare key
really
was, he began describing the drawer where he kept it in his house. I couldn’t believe my ears!
After all the car problems we dealt with, this is what is going to bring us down?
As luck would have it, though,
there was still a piece of the key sticking out of the ignition. Future’s calm demeanour and naturally positive attitude kicked in again, and he somehow used the hole in the upper half of the broken key like a wrench to turn the part that was still sticking out of the ignition, and it worked. The engine actually turned over!

It was a good thing Future was able to rig up that key contraption, given all the repairs we were forced to make thereafter. We stopped to jiggle the battery back into place, refill the oil, and investigate weird noises coming from the tire. We even had to rip out the shredded engine-fan-housing that was blocking airflow and causing the engine to overheat. We were determined not to allow these minor issues to keep us from reaching our target, but it was hard. We waited on pins and needles to see what the next disaster might be.

Future kept the mood so light that it was hard to remain negative, though. At one point, he laughingly proclaimed, “I retire from tour guide AND mechanic.” We were amazed that, as the owner of a van now literally falling apart in more ways than we could count, Future was still, by far, the most happy-go-lucky member of the group.

It was completely dark when we finally reached the tarmac road on the outskirts of
Ulaanbaatar,
only to have the van break down one last time.
Yes, yes, yes – NOOO! And we were so close!
The brakes had seized, but Future refused to give up. He stepped on the gas hard and the poor car struggled to move a few feet until the brake pads started burning and smoking. After a few more tries, the discs were worn down to metal on metal and were glowing red hot.

“Umm, he’s about to blow up the whole car if he keeps doing that!” Ammon’s voice reflected a sense of urgency. I didn’t need to lean out the window to see the glow from the brakes on the dark landscape.

Future finally admitted defeat. We pulled over to the side of the road and perched desperately around his cell phone, watching the weak reception signal fade as he made an SOS call to Baagii. It was past midnight by the time Baagii came to the rescue with a vehicle and food – real food. Having not eaten anything but the infamous biscuits, we were starved. I shovelled scoop after scoop of the tasty and, most importantly, non-mutton-based meal into me and revelled in the last lingering remnants of its warmth.

While the men transferred the backpacks from Future’s vehicle to Baagii’s, it was somehow decided that Future would stay behind with his van and we would go on to the hostel without him. Even though I felt a mixture of guilt and relief at hearing about this arrangement, I dozed off a bit as I experienced the deep and calming satisfaction of a full belly.
Everyone in this kind of culture has to rely on one another. In such harsh conditions and scenarios, it is likely that their experiences and lifestyle make them all the more appreciative of their fellow man.
I’d seen how quickly people who value family and help strangers became friends in this culture. I thought of the grandparents who had nothing but shared their biscuits with us anyway, all the families who welcomed us into their homes, Khongorzul helping at the border, and the many others who’d helped along the way, none of them expecting anything in return. I couldn’t forget their bountiful generosity despite their limited means. These were the most hospitable strangers I’d ever met. In all fairness I don’t think there is a word for ‘stranger’ in Mongolia. The closest translation would probably be, “friends that haven’t met.”
After all, isn’t that what a stranger should be?
I was beginning to wish I, too, lived in a culture where that’s what being a stranger meant. I looked out the rear window as we departed and saw Future standing in his headlights waving. He was truly a selfless warrior.

We were completely fried by the time we arrived at the hostel, but it sure felt good to be in a familiar place. Bree and I were forced to share a bed because only three were available in the twenty-bed dorm. I was so tired that all I needed was to be laid out horizontally somewhere – anywhere – to sleep peacefully. It was hard to locate an empty bed without turning the lights on, and I had no desire to feel my way into an occupied one. Once again, though, Bree saved the day.

“Over here!” she whisper-shouted to me. She’d found a free bunk. We could sleep in the top bed, and there was one for Mom below. Ammon was fending for himself in the darkness.

For a couple of minutes, I could hear Mom shuffling about below. I could feel Bree’s rhythmic heartbeat and knew from her deep, even breathing that she was already in dreamland. I was not far behind. My heavy eyes closed and I was gone before my head even hit the pillow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days later, Future and Baagii arrived for the final time to drive us to the train station. To our amazement, this time they pulled up outside the hostel in the van we thought we’d murdered in the desert.

“Future, you did it again! I don’t know how you pulled it off!” Ammon inspected the refurbished van to see if it really was the same vehicle we had driven through the desert.

Tickets in hand and bags fully packed and ready, we stood on the platform saying our final goodbyes. Bree and Baagii were off to the side undergoing an emotional, somewhat painful, parting.

Future stood before Ammon and said, “I want you have,” as he twisted his silver, horse-head ring off his middle finger and placed it in his palm.

“Oh wow, that’s beautiful Future, but I don’t know if I---”

“No, you take. Is for you, my Ammon. You know, you really looking like Jesus. Please take care of girls.” Turning to Mom he said, “Good Mama. You good,” and gave her a hug. Finally it was my turn, “Little Savannah, when you are grow up, you getting pretty girl, ’cause I naming you Pretty Savannah.”

“Thank you, Future.” I gave him a big hug, too. “You are a good guide, but an even better friend.”

“Bree, you nice girl. Funny girl,” and he stole her from Baagii for a hug.

“C’mon Bree. It’s time,” Mom reminded her gently. Bree was barely able to hold back her tears and needed a few more moments.

“Good luck on your trip! And have fun in Russia,” Baagii called as he waved. “Come back to Mongolia any time. We’ll be here.”

As I was climbing onto the train after Ammon, Future called out my name. I reached back to him and he took my hand and squeezed it tightly in a final farewell. I didn’t need to open my hand to know what was there. I could never mistake the shape and feel of those hard, round biscuits. I grinned as Bree and I lingered a few moments longer at the door. We were sad to be leaving, but the whistle blew and we had to find our seats. I staggered as the wheels started to turn and the train jerked slightly, but Bree was there to steady me, as always. I used this excuse to wrap my arm around her, hoping to comfort her at least a bit.

From the window, I saw Future give Baagii a soothing pat on the back as they turned to leave.
Sook, sook, sook,
I thought with a smile. The platform slipped away and I wondered if I would ever see either of them again. We’d made some good friends, and the time for the painful inevitability of farewells had already come and gone, but I knew there would be plenty more hellos ready to welcome us wherever we went.

Ammon and Mom were already settled into the four-seat cubicle which would be home for the next thirty-six hours. I found I didn’t mind too much. It was a perfect chance to get reacquainted with my dear, sweet Rhett, but then Ammon pulled the deck of cards from his daypack and began shuffling, his new ring reflecting the sunlight.

With an exaggerated shiver, he plainly stated, “Given what happened the last time I was there, I am NOT looking forward to going back to Russia.”

Secretly, I was!

Acknowledgements

I originally had no clue how to write a book, but am so grateful that I was given this opportunity. I want to thank not only the three family members who accompanied me on this life-altering trip, but the members of my extended family, as well. You always encouraged my various endeavours and have been listening to my nonstop motor mouth from the moment I was born. 

Mom:
You kept things together while I sat for months at the computer. Although I was rather horrified at the time, I am so glad you typed out all of my journals for safekeeping. And thank you for all the hard work you put into creating the website. “I like it – A LOT!”

Dad:
“I’ll bring the coffee.” Thank you for all the long days of reading, rereading, and rereading again. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Bree:
Who would I laugh with if you weren’t around? Though we’ve had our moments, as all sisters do, you are a great big sister and always there to protect me. I owe you a life – or three.

Ammon:
Thanks for teaching me so much and being my substitute father through this exciting, formative period of my life. I truly value your advice and help.

Sky:
I couldn’t live without your gentle heart.

My siblings are the best gifts I’ve ever been given. Thank you for them, too, Mom and Dad.

Terri:
One day you will understand and come back to me.

Sandra Fok:
You’ve been there since the beginning, and the trip was worthwhile if only to meet you. “I bring Sushi and Pizza.” And don’t forget the Starbucks and treats for early morning math sessions. Damn you, Strawberry – You are a life saver!

Mary Anne McCall:
I am so proud to have you for a grandmother. Your intelligence never fails to impress me. Even separated by oceans, you were one of my biggest supporters.

Shean Stacey:
You were always our family’s number one fan. If it weren’t for you and your big bear hugs, we never would have come so far.

RhiisLopez/Ana Kefr:
I love all of our Sodomatroglofantasmodyte memories in you-know-where (I don’t even want to record the ugly word in my book). Thank you for the write-up!

John Volken:
I love how, from the time I was ten years old, you introduced me to friends as a future author. You believed in my writing before anyone else, even me.

JoAnnCleaver:
Your guidance and polishing touches on my manuscript were much appreciated. 

Heather UpChurch:
You were so patient and helpful through the process of designing my cover. You put in more time and effort than I ever would have expected. I am extremely grateful to have found .

Rae McWhirter:
I only met you recently, but it feels like forever. You’ve helped me so much. I’m so glad you fell into my life.

Greg Wallis:
We all admired your random appearances and your incredibly upbeat enthusiasm. You always gave me a boost when I needed it.

Brandon Baumgardner, Adriana Watkins, Aileen Tien, Hein Lok
and
Tish Stacey
: Thanks for all your help, encouragement and amazing support during the writing process.

KeesKleef:
You are one of a kind, and I am incredibly lucky to have you, particularly when I couldn’t stop talking and “giving you blisters in your ears” way past lights out – even when you had to get up early to work to support me and my writing. I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me. O.W.Y.

A special thank you to all the nameless folk I met along the way who supported both my travels and my attempts to write about them. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to all of you.

Finally, to all the characters referred to by name in the book, thank you for being a part of my journey.