This photo was taken at the opening of a museum exhibition on democratic revolution, which began in December, 1989. If I look a bit drawn, or a bit out of it, that is because I had what was diagnosed as 'probably bronchitis' at the time, and was basically dragging myself out of bed to go to such events as the exhibition opening.
I know Ochirbat, who is a wonderful, down to earth guy. I still recall with a smile one incident at the opening. I was hanging out, and trying to remain more or less vertical, waiting for the ceremony and speeches to start. I heard "Sain baina uu?" (the Mongolian greeting) coming from behind me, but apparently directed at me. So I turn around and there was Ochirbat. We chatted for a bit, and I was amused by the reaction of many of the other people there, which was clearly "Who is this foreigner that the former president went up to and started chatting away with?" It was definitely good for one's ego.