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Published: March 17th 2011
After a yummy breakfast we met the owner of the hostel and her one year old child, very cute and learning english fast. Had look round shopping centre to exchange money and have quick snack, by this point I had already fallen in love with the city as although cyrllic used here, most signs in english and everyone speaks some english and most pretty fluent! Light relief from russia! We then headed to the gandantegchenling monastery. The view from here mar amazing as looked over the city onto the mountain back drop. Within seconds I had found my first souvenir, a mongolian monk. He was just so sweet but not sure I would fit him in my case home! Lots of monks roamed the monastery around the temples and university where they learn english tibetan and sanskrit as well as astrology, medicine and philosophy. Whilst here I decide being a buddhist seemed very tranquil, with the chanting and the amazing locations of their temples. After this we took a walk to sukhbaator square where we saw houses of parliament and a statue of chinggis khan. We then stopped for more food and were bemused by the christmas songs in background!. Enjoyed people watching especially the older generation in traditional dress. After getting changed at hostel we headed for dinner. Tried a vegetarian place that was highly recommended but it was shut and second place we tried was full, so ended up at the silk road grill house. Not great for a vegetarian but they were very helpful and made me vegetarian wraps which were lovely. Finished our night nicely with some wine. Short walk back to hostel but roads are crazy! You have to avoid five lanes of traffic and traffic lights count down from fifteen seconds as you run across road with cars still coming at you! Madness. Def my best city yet though, everyone very friendly once again. Up early tomorrow for trip to national park then staying in the ger.
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Danny
non-member comment
awesome
Been reading your blog as I am doing the same trip next year, I want to spend more time in Mongolia though than Russia. Sounds like your having a blast in Ulaanbataar. Keep the blog going!