Wondrous

Well, today is the announcement of the new seven wonders of the world. I'll just list my choices from the severely limited options available (only 20 monuments could be chosen) and explain later: Hagia Sophia, Great Wall, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, Eiffel Tower, Neuschwanstein Castle and the Kremnlin/Red Square/St. Basil's.
I would have voted but despite getting to the second stage where they said I should check my email account, the confirmation email which would register my vote never arrived. Were these guys in Florida in 2000 (or indeed 2004 for that matter)? If one monument loses out because of a single vote, I would demand a recount. Then again, like most things in Mongolia, the Internet here isn't so reliable. Another quibble is the voting system. Electronic democracy has some way to go when all you need is an email address. Set up a multitude of accounts and watch your voting rights multiply (and some will have the inclination to do so). Moreover, the original seven wonders of the world aren't the generally accepted ancient seven we have today, so to trumpet these new seven wonders as set in stone is not true to the fluid nature of the Greeks' ranking system. Moreover, it isn't a list of brilliant buildings, but a popularity contest. All fine and good in the 21st century, but it would have been more persuasive had been compiled from thousands of academics and experts in the fields of archaeology and architecture. So are these the definitive new seven wonders of the world. Despite all the fanfare, it's hard to agree that they are.
On another note, Altaa is back from the countryside and took her TOEFL exam today. Results in two weeks. Her brother is also back. He went to the Gobi but didn't take any sun cream so his face and arms are deep brown while his legs now look comparably milk white. An interesting contrast. It was his first tour trip and he enjoyed it. Naadam is soon and Altaa has some work lined up to keep herself occupied. Went to a barbecue party last night. Yes, you guessed it, it pelted down with rain though it's effect was limited since we were on the fourth floor and the balcony, the only exposed part, was covered.