Two Days Away

     We just returned from the countryside.  This is our fall break so we have a week off.   Pam and two friends of ours went to a place called Mongolian Secret History Ger Camp.  We stayed in large gers with stoves that didn't warm the place up but did take the chill off.  The weather was great so it wasn't a big issue.  This place was tucked back in a valley blanketed with white birch and pine.  The 3.5 km walk from the road was treeless and could have passed for the desert except for hints of farming on the ground.  During the stroll to the camp we had to negotiate herds of cows, sheep and goats as the herder watched from the back of his horse.  I wonder what was going through his mind as he saw four "pointy noses" with backpacks taking pics of animals at a watering hole.
     The weather was amazingly warm.  We were all sweating after the walk from the road where the bus dropped us off.  Once we made it to the camp we were treated to a great meal that needed to be walked off so we headed into the woods and found some fantastic views from the ridge of the surrounding hills.  The camp also offered horse and camel rides.  We took advantage of the horse rides with a guide that spoke no English but kept our horses moving with "chi, chi" from his lips.  The staff was very attentive to our requests even bringing to our ger a thermos of hot water, tea, coffee and the essential fixings.  Once the sun went down we brought out Yahtzee and Cribbage.  We diluted the competitive juices with wine so that we could go to bed and still be talking to each other.  
      We tried out the local transportation which is comfortable and much cheaper than hiring a driver.  The inside of our bus was decorated with purple trappings with lots of tassels and a large screen tv showing a kaleidoscopic image of someone singing.  This provided a topic for conversation for a number of km.  The ger camp is about two hours NW of UB.  Our cab driver took care of us making sure we got the right tickets and bus to our destination.  He even spoke with the bus driver about where we were headed which was not a normal stop.  We climbed onto the bus and plopped down in the front four seats next to the smiling assistant who tried unsuccessfully to communicate with us.  So, there were mostly smiles exchange between us.  After a rest stop we rumbled down the road with the driver's assistant looking at our map.  He then had a quick conversation with the driver who suddenly made an announcement over the loudspeaker and a young man made his way up front.  Putting the puzzle pieces together we figured that they weren't sure where to drop us off and they were looking for someone to translate or read a map.  The guy who came forward didn't seem to be able to do either.  Then the bus stopped in the middle of the road and proceeded to try and make a three point turn with deep ditches on both sides of the road.  Within a moment we were headed back the way we came as groans and interrogative intonations floated through the bus.  We slumped in our seats realizing that we were the cause of this change in direction and thankful that we didn't have to look into the faces of the passengers.  After only a few km the advising committee to the driver decided that the drop off point for the foreigners was further down the road so another 180 degree turn was made.  After coming over a small knoll there was a sign probably 25 ft. high announcing where the ger camp was.  I think I heard a sigh of relief from behind us as the bus door opened and we got off.  The driver and assistant said good-bye with smiles and we felt good that we introduced the locals to their surrounding venues.

Geoff and Pam hydrating before the 3.5 km trek.  Chinggis works well. 

The welcoming party. 

I don't care what the herder said, there's no milk today! 

Ahhh, the finish line! 

Watch out for the low entry way!  She didn't. 

Rick, Pam, Dave & Geoff 

Can you see Russia? 

Our ger by morning light. 

Pam's favorite game.  Yahtzee 

Good food, friends and beers. 

 Where's that Starbucks ger?

Now that I've got staying on the horse down bring me a bow. 

No, It's not Roy Rogers.  The steeds await. 

And I haven't been to the periodontist in 3 months!!! 

Ger innard pics. 

     When we started back to UB the snow was floating to the ground as it is doing presently.  We trekked the 3.5 km to the road and waited for a bus that we were told passed by about each hour.  The local herd of horses and cows kept us entertained as they strolled across the road being defiant to the cars that seemed like they were attempting to break land speed records.   After about 30 mins. a bus flew by with the driver waving to us.    Guessed there weren't any seats left and the aisle was filled.  I focused my binoculars down the road scanning for the next bus when a van stopped and the female driver asked where we were going.  After finding out the price, which was cheaper than the bus, we filled the remaining seats.  10 of us rocked, rolled and bounced our way down the road.  Only Pam was looking forward and she gave very little indication of fear with neither facial expressions nor sounds.  I, however, watched the van sway and wondered how high the center of gravity was and looked for anything to hold onto if we were going to roll.  Obviously we made it back.  We now have some research to do about how the transportation system works here to prepare for our next outing.