Mongolia

The Trip

We  are  with Bolod Namkhai, in the blue jacket, who is the owner of  Bolod's  Guesthouse,

where we stayed in Ulan Bator. He also runs a travel service, and arranged all of our tours.

On the right is our guide, Eric. If you ever go to Mongolia, be sure to have Bolod arrange

everything for you. His website is http://www.bolodtours.com/.

Departure

We left early in the morning for a four day tour or the countryside. We are with the

driver Dawa and Eric.

The Roads

There are few paved roads once you get a few miles outside the capital. In fact, the

roads are often ad hoc, where ever you want to drive.

Mongolian Hospitality

You are not going to believe this, but it is really true. When traveling outside the cities

there is no place to stay. No hotels, no guesthouses. But every ger is a potential

hostel. This hospitality is a matter of necessity in the harsh climate. Historically,

the people never charged a guest, but recently have taken to asking about $4

per person. About an hour or two before dark the driver took out his binoculars

and started looking across the plains for sheep. The reason for this is that

there are a lot more sheep than gers, and where ever there are animals,

there are humans. This couple seemed happy to provide us with not

only very warm accommodations, but also a traditional Mongolian

meal of noodle soup and dried meat.

At Home on the Steppes

The Mongolian nomads must be the most hospitable people in the world.  I asked our hosts

if people often dropped in on them like we did. They said that it happens about once per year,

but that we were the first foreigners. Their hospitality was very much appreciated.

High Tech Living

It is not unusual to see solar panels and satellite dishes outside gers. This one even

had a refrigerator. The billboard for a cell phone company advertised no roaming

charges. This must be an attractive feature for nomads, who pick up and move

four times each year.

Thirteenth Century Mongolian Village

Five small villages of structures in common use in thirteenth century Mongolia have been

reconstructed for tourists in a park outside Ulan Bator. Striking similarities can also be

seen in the Mongolian language and that of the American Indians.

Nomad Life

This woman in the reconstructed thirteenth century Mongolian village shows how

a rug was made back then.

Hunting

Birds have long been used for hunting on the steppes.

Transport

Tourists can have a ride on an animal from the Silk Road.

Home Sweet Home

A thirteenth century warrior and his princess.