When lunch ended we got in the jeeps and after avoiding a flock of sheep in our path we made it to the main road and continued over the barren and rolling steppes to Khgna Kahn, the place where we were going to spend the night.
Once we got started it was more of the usual: going at top speed, being bounced around in the back seat, sharp swerving to avoid pot holes, bearly missing other vehicles and looking out the window watchng the scenery go by. Every once in awhile the skeleton of an animal was seen in a field. It's bones bleaching in the mid-day sun.
Inbetween the barren landscape we would pass little towns that had Russian style buildings made of wood scattered among the gers. Some buildings had fences around them. I keep mentioning fenses because it seemed very unusual to see them in Mongolia where nothing usually is penned up. I even saw two gas stations on the way.
While driving along we came upon a bunch of little kids racing their horses along the side of the road. They were practicing for the real race that would take place during the upcoming Naadam Festival that would take place all over the country. It was quite an amazing sight seeing about fifty boys and a few girls between the ages of eight and twelve on horses galloping at top speed. Their horses kicking dust up beneath their feet and the children waving their whips wildly in the air and then slashing them down on the horses side trying to get it to go faster. Some of the lads were dressed in the full traditional Mongolian costume. Some had on only the Mongolian hat. Others wore sports t-shirts with a number enblazened on the front and back.
Late in the twelveth century a twenty year old Mongol named Temujiin emerged from the ranks of the common people and with a unique combination of skill, leadership and national pride managed to unite most of the Mongol tribes and take them on conquering campaigns that led them all the way into Europe. Shortly afterwards he was given the honorary title of Chinggis Kahn, which means Universal King. No other Mongolian leader before or since has been able to bring together the Mongolian tribes under one cause as effectively as he did. To all the nations that he conquered his name brought to mind merciless killing, savage looting, pillaging and war mongering, but to the Mongolian people he embodied strength, unity and law and order. Now twenty centuries from the time he walked the earth the Mongolian people still hold him as the idol of their hearts.
Chinggis Kahn
After driving for many hours and resting once for about a half an hour at the base of a mountain, our driver left the road and took a shortcut through the parched desert. By now we could see the camp in the distance. Twenty minutes later we arrived. The camp was located close to some twisted red rock formations that almost surrounded it. We got all our stuff out of the jeep and brought it to a ger that my room mate and I picked out. After we settled a bit it was time for dinner.
Mongolian Home
The food there was great. The beef was so tender you could cut it with a spoon. We also had potatoes, rice and a very small salad of shredded cabbage and carrots. Desert was a wafer stacked inbetween frosting. At sun-down the most beautiful purple clouds appeared in the western sky. By the time it was dark I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Once we got started it was more of the usual: going at top speed, being bounced around in the back seat, sharp swerving to avoid pot holes, bearly missing other vehicles and looking out the window watchng the scenery go by. Every once in awhile the skeleton of an animal was seen in a field. It's bones bleaching in the mid-day sun.
Inbetween the barren landscape we would pass little towns that had Russian style buildings made of wood scattered among the gers. Some buildings had fences around them. I keep mentioning fenses because it seemed very unusual to see them in Mongolia where nothing usually is penned up. I even saw two gas stations on the way.
While driving along we came upon a bunch of little kids racing their horses along the side of the road. They were practicing for the real race that would take place during the upcoming Naadam Festival that would take place all over the country. It was quite an amazing sight seeing about fifty boys and a few girls between the ages of eight and twelve on horses galloping at top speed. Their horses kicking dust up beneath their feet and the children waving their whips wildly in the air and then slashing them down on the horses side trying to get it to go faster. Some of the lads were dressed in the full traditional Mongolian costume. Some had on only the Mongolian hat. Others wore sports t-shirts with a number enblazened on the front and back.
Late in the twelveth century a twenty year old Mongol named Temujiin emerged from the ranks of the common people and with a unique combination of skill, leadership and national pride managed to unite most of the Mongol tribes and take them on conquering campaigns that led them all the way into Europe. Shortly afterwards he was given the honorary title of Chinggis Kahn, which means Universal King. No other Mongolian leader before or since has been able to bring together the Mongolian tribes under one cause as effectively as he did. To all the nations that he conquered his name brought to mind merciless killing, savage looting, pillaging and war mongering, but to the Mongolian people he embodied strength, unity and law and order. Now twenty centuries from the time he walked the earth the Mongolian people still hold him as the idol of their hearts.
Chinggis Kahn
After driving for many hours and resting once for about a half an hour at the base of a mountain, our driver left the road and took a shortcut through the parched desert. By now we could see the camp in the distance. Twenty minutes later we arrived. The camp was located close to some twisted red rock formations that almost surrounded it. We got all our stuff out of the jeep and brought it to a ger that my room mate and I picked out. After we settled a bit it was time for dinner.
Mongolian Home
The food there was great. The beef was so tender you could cut it with a spoon. We also had potatoes, rice and a very small salad of shredded cabbage and carrots. Desert was a wafer stacked inbetween frosting. At sun-down the most beautiful purple clouds appeared in the western sky. By the time it was dark I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
posted by THE REAL MIKE BAILEY at 8:53 PM
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