Category Archives: Blog

Cute Boot…

Exploring Mongolia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)


Now THAT’s a boot! Behold, the largest Mongolian boot in the world! This boot was NOT made for walking — but one of these days, this boot may walk all over you…

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Dreaming in Mongolian…

Uploading Mongolian (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I dreamt in Mongolian this week-end — managing to study even in sleep (someone’s been reading too much Mongolian grammar)!

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National Museum of Oman…

National Museum of Oman (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

The National Museum of Oman opened its doors this week-end for the public — and it has a very impressive collection. Visiting the museum to admire Omani cultural heritage and history made me even more grateful to live in the Sultanate than I already was — which I didn’t think was possible. I’ll be sharing photos of my favorite items from the museum soon — if you visit Oman, definitely add this magnificent museum to your Muscat itinerary.

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Blooming in Ulaanbaatar…

On a stroll in Mongolia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)


I came across this lovely yurt (ger) made of flowers while on a study break from studying Mongolian in Ulaanbaatar.

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Birthday Boy…

Baby Anubis (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

My baby’s become an old man! Happy 13th birthday to my elderly teenager, Anubis Ramses! Anubis is truly a globe-trotting chihuahua, having lived in NYC, Beirut, and Muscat. He’s performed on Broadway, volunteered at mental hospitals and nursing homes, learned Arabic commands, and enjoyed a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It’s exhausting trying to keep up with him. What jet-set adventures will he think of next?

Swimming in Lebanon (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

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Directorial Debut…

On set with Meg Ryan & Matthew Broderick (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I have fond memories of filming with Meg Ryan in front of the camera — so I’m looking forward to seeing her work behind the camera in her directorial debut.

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افغانستان

Making friends in Afghanistan (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I was very sad to hear about the recent deadly attack on a Hazara protest in Kabul. I spent time this summer in Mongolia speaking with Hazara students from Afghanistan, and we all got a kick out of speaking Dari together in the hallways of the National University of Mongolia. It’s been a few years since I was in Afghanistan, and it feels like things there are only getting worse. Today it was widely reported that this year has seen record high numbers of civilian and children casualties — an issue very close to my heart.

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The River…

Yurt with a view (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Here’s a photo of the river behind my yurt abode in the western Mongolian countryside — very far from the capital…

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Making Friends…

Exploring Mongolia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I came across these cuties while living in the Mongolian countryside–from Oman to Mongolia, I’m crazy about camels.

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[New Huff-Po] North Korea: From the Front Line

North Korean border (Photo: Emily Jane O'Dell)

I’m happy to share with you my new Huffington Post article about my recent trip to the Korean Demilitarized Zone and North Korea.

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Turtle Rock…

Exploring Mongolia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

This has been my third summer being immersed in Mongolia’s breathtaking natural beauty — can you spot Turtle Rock?

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Монгол хэл

Life in Mongolia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

If you don’t speak Mongolian, I recommend this phrasebook for travel to Mongolia — along with some chocolate to boost your memory (Mongolian is difficult — you’ll need all the help you can get)!

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Монгол хэл

Studying Mongolian (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Here’s a photo of my name written in Mongolian calligraphy — it’s been a dream come true to study Mongolian language this summer in Mongolia (my third summer there!)…

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Drama in Mongolia…

Life in UB (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

As a playwright, director, and performer, I was elated to explore Mongolian theatre history at this impressive museum collection in Ulaanbaatar…

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