The dance scene is hopping, and the bars bring together a collection of people worthy of Star Wars. On any given night one is likely to meet North Korean embassy personnel, immigrants from Buriat Russia, government officials, Japanese-speaking Mongolian prostitutes, French restauranteurs, and visitors from Cameroon. Mr. Parrot was upset at the Mongolian Minister of Environment for refusing a proposal to export falcons to the Persian Gulf, where they are valued as pets. The funds were to be split evenly between Mr. Parrot's firm and the government, but a Mongolian already had a lock on the market with a government-granted monopoly. Adding to the confusion is that Parrot is a Sikh who wears a turban, leading some to think he is actually a Saudi prince looking for a cut-rate deal.
Odd foreigners do seem to be drawn to the place.
A few years ago a Canadian con artist stayed as a guest of the government for six months, promising huge investments that never materialized. He was arrested trying to leave the country, but eventually allowed to return to Canada to be treated for mental health problems. When the Mongolians discovered nothing in it but paper, they went to the police, who tracked down the culprits quickly enough. The innocence of Mongolians that makes them gullible to con artists has also meant that they look openly to the West for political and economic models. The upside, however, is that their political reform process has been remarkably peaceful and smooth.