Mongolia
A year ago, on the return inaugural flight from NRT-UBN on United, the United States Ambassador to Mongolia, Richard Buangan, was onboard with us. Fazal in particular did a great job keeping in touch with Ambassador Buangan afterwards, and just over a year later, we were invited to have dinner with him in Ulaanbaatar. This didn't originally coincide with my original 2MM on United, but as one of many changes to this trip, well, in the end, it did.
In addition to Fazal and two of his colleagues, Carl, Scott, Philip, Trevor, Sue, Alice, plus Yana from United Airlines all made it to this meeting of #AVgeeks at the ambassador's residence. We had a superb traditional Mongolian meal, got to partake of some excellent alcohol, including shiguderi (milk vodka), and for most of us (including myself), enjoy our first time checking out the official residence of United States Ambassador, and second time with significant in-person experience with one. The national ensemble was brought in to perform for us, with the traditional box fiddle and throat singing, as Ambassador Buangan proved an amazing host. There was even some hopes of non-stop service to the United States once Mongolia receives ICAO Category 1 certification, although this sounds like it's a ways off.
We managed the obligatory group photo, guestbook signing, and a bunch of other fun stuff before we left, including writing a postcard to Jarad Fisher at United Airlines (brilliant idea, Trevor!). The residence is reasonable in size, well-suited to entertaining, and managed a collection of art that is very subtle in just how impressive it is. I also don't want to think about how much cole slaw, potato salad, buuz, and khuushurr I ate -- quite heavenly after a day of airplane and airport food. We also managed to time things well, as dinner finished after the abrupt summer rainstorm that started just before dinner, and it was actually nice sunset walk back to the hotel. A good time was had by all, and while I know guarantees are impossible, fingers crossed we get to see Ambassador Buangan again, be it in Mongolia again in the future, or on another inaugural flight.