This is the most frequent question from friends and colleagues when I tell them where I am going on vacation. First, they go quiet contemplating the idea. Then, after the pause, they say something like, “That will be exciting!” (By which they really mean, “Rather you than me.”) Finally, they ask, “But why Mongolia?”
As yet I am not sure I have a coherent response to that question. Maybe I will have one in a few weeks time. Right now I can tell you that a) I know little about the country or its culture, b) it has stunning scenery, and, c) food and drink are not meant to be a highlight of the trip.
The first two seem like good reasons to go. The third is definitely a drawback. It brings to mind a scene from “The Long Way Round” where Ewan McGreggor, Charley Boorman, and team get invited to sample a large pot of…well, let’s just say male animal parts. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a clip of that event, but this one gives you a good idea of what we might expect. Apparently the fermented mare’s milk takes a bit of getting used to as well.
Unlike Ewan and Charley, who rode motorbikes across Mongolia, my friend Russell and I intend to catch the train from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar (a 30-hour journey) and then fly to Olgii in the Western Altai Mountains. (GoogleEarth gives you a fantastic view of the town and surrounding countryside from space.) Then we plan to hike for a week or so before returning to Ulaanbaatar and a trip to the Gobi desert. Something tells me, however, that our plans may not turn out the way we expect.
While I am away, Dede will put up some posts I have written over the last few weeks just to keep things ticking, and I will resume writing new ones toward the end of August. The first post will let you know how we got on. Bye for now.
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July 29th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Hi Nigel,
Mongolia is a good choice. Many of my friends went there. If you enjoy clean waters (as far as I remember you do) there is something to enjoy! My friend used to go to Mongolia to hire horse and than go wild to catch fish with flyies. If you need any hints pls let me know.
It is better to prepare to catch fish on your own as food is really not great:)
Enjoy!
Pawel
July 31st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Did you try telling them the attraction was poor cell phone coverage?
August 7th, 2007 at 9:11 am
You do know that they cook with dried cow dung! ok, I mean the fire….
August 21st, 2007 at 8:01 am
A friend of mine owns the restaurant chain “Mongolian BBQ” in Ann Arbor, MI. They actually opened a store recently in Mongolia itself. The food is great - so it might be an alternative to cow dung and animal parts!
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:22 am
Thanks for the comments folks. I will put a post up to let you know how the trip went but here a couple of quick responses.
Pawel, I have certainly extended my food repertoire as a result of being in Mongolia. No fish but the yak yogurt was great and cow dung smoke adds a certain flavor to a meal.
Believe it or not, the mobile phone and Crackberry both worked in much of Mongolia but not in China.
Iotte, your friend is on to a winner. The Mongolian BBQ was packed with foreigners and locals. I was not too happy to go there since I went to one in Chicago years ago but the locals thought it was great.