Meandering in Mongolia

Asia » Mongolia
July 28th 2007

Published: August 25th 2007

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td impulse

Us en-route

Trains... here we come...

Hello again!

So, after an incredibly long train ride (80 hours!!!) we arrived in Mongolia! This is one of the most culturally and naturally fascinating cities. The locals live in Gers, large round tents that house the family and are mobile as Mongolians are nomadic people. The Gers are white and rather large. There are many superstitions within the tent (you must enter with your right foot, never point your feet at the stove, men and women on separate sides, and so on... and they are sparsely decorated, but cozy and there is always yogurt and local tea to be found.

Mongolia is an immense country with endless nature and wildlife, so we opted for rafting, camel riding, horseback trekking for endangered wildlife, and loads of hiking. I was relaxing, invigorating, and so refreshing after China!

I really can´t say enough about Mongolia, it is a country that I must go back to one day, and I would love to extend the horse trekking and cover some more country that way... mind you, that was not entirely my point of view when we finished our day of trekking. You see, the Russian saddle they use is a fraction

Me...

on a camel!

of the size of an English saddle, and itś made of wood! Not to mention, there is a large metal loop at the back that is very unforgiving... oh, and one other thing - there is a reason there are no Mongolian restaurants near you. Really. A culture that fears and avoids herbs or spices and relies only on milk or meat from the animals they roam with, as well as deathly cold winters and constant moving, means for fatty chunks of hearty meat and salted, thick, milk products. The yogurt was the only mentionable item, and though it was delicious, it was very heavy and somehow too much.

So, I suppose there are new discoveries in each country... some more enjoyable than others!!!

Trish xxx

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