On the train again, leaving UB, headed for Beijing. Border crossing and bogey change due tonight.
Last full day in the ger camp, we visited a local nomad farmer. He had two yurts, a curious mix of old and new - a satellite dish and fridge, powered by solar energy, while dairy produce dried out on the roof, covered in flies. They seemed roomy enough, but his existence probably isn't easy. There were some leftover presents in the bag in the corner, with a 'True Blue Aussie' flag protruding from the top.
In the afternoon we tried some Mongolian archery and learned how to play a game with sheep knuckles. Each side of the bone represents an animal - sheep, goat, horse and camel.
.JPG)
In a fascinating and baffling move, there are some Japanese landscapers installing a waterfall feature here. Very friendly fellow in charge, enjoying his job.
We returned to UB the following morning, and half the city was obscured by smog. The traffic was pretty heavy, and we witness some crazy overtaking manoeuvres. Nothing compared to our taxi ride later that evening - our drive invented extra lanes at any opportunity. At one point, on a regular two way road, which already had two lanes of traffic going our way (not moving), he decided to drive the wrong way down the opposite side of the road. That's when we got out.
I thought Russian driving was bad, but the Mongolians are far worse. Crossing the street is a game of life and death and willpower. The cars do seem to stop when necessary, but the pedestrian cannot show a moment's hesitation. I think it might be part of the UB experience, to lead a road crossing.
Went on a walk with Lukas on our last morning in the ger camp. Underestimated it a bit, but got back in time for breakfast.
Went for lunch yesterday in Café Amsterdam. Dawa chose it, but it was an obvious Lonely Planet destination, full of English-speaking travellers. It was a glimpse into the future for me. There is a 'look' to everyone - a kind of semi-cool aloofness. I think I'll try avoid LP-recommended places where possible.
After that was a trip to the National History Museum. Everything was in English, which was superb, and it filled in lots of gaps in my knowledge of the history of Mongolia. It got a bit propaganda-ish toward the end. The communist takeover of 1921 is still called the Great Democratic Revolution.
Tar éis sin, half the group went shopping, and the other half of us went to see a monument atop a hill on the outskirts of the city. Celebrating the Mongolian-Russian relationship, the views of the city were excellent.
One could really see that UB is on the cusp of an economic boom. One modern glass building has been completed, and several apartment blocks are nearly so. There was even plans for a hotel right underneath the monument. Progress, I guess.
Step count at the war memorial:
Dom - 644
Kim - 607
Me - 615
Werewolves and Farmers, as played by Lukas, Regine and Brigitte
Cards are dealt - 4 Kings for 4 werewolves, 1 Queen for the witch, 1 Jack for the hunter, and clubs for farmers.
First night: all close eyes, werewolves open to find each other. Gamesmaster takes note of them, and witch, and hunter.
First day: all vote to kill one person, hopefully a werewolf. If tied, all vote again just for tied people.
Second night: all close eyes. Werewolves open eyes, and agree on a target to kill.
Repeat day and night until all werewolves are killed, or the werewolves have a majority.
Each night, after werewolves have selected their target, the witch may use her good or bad essence. Good will save the werewolves' target, bad will kill one person of the witch's choice.
If the hunter is killed, they will shoot another person, so both die.
Mongolian countryside is really flat scrubland, beige and brown. The sky is inevitably clear and blue. All in all, beautiful.
Passing through the Gobi. Just stopped in Sainshand, and walked the length of the train. Don't seem to be any Chinese people on the train bar the attendants. Might even have another Irish guy.
http://domcheeseman.blogspot.ie/2011/09/sidenote_21.html
http://domcheeseman.blogspot.ie/2011/10/day-112-ulaanbaatar.html
Last full day in the ger camp, we visited a local nomad farmer. He had two yurts, a curious mix of old and new - a satellite dish and fridge, powered by solar energy, while dairy produce dried out on the roof, covered in flies. They seemed roomy enough, but his existence probably isn't easy. There were some leftover presents in the bag in the corner, with a 'True Blue Aussie' flag protruding from the top.
In the afternoon we tried some Mongolian archery and learned how to play a game with sheep knuckles. Each side of the bone represents an animal - sheep, goat, horse and camel.
.JPG)
.JPG) |
| WINNARS! |
***
In a fascinating and baffling move, there are some Japanese landscapers installing a waterfall feature here. Very friendly fellow in charge, enjoying his job.
***
We returned to UB the following morning, and half the city was obscured by smog. The traffic was pretty heavy, and we witness some crazy overtaking manoeuvres. Nothing compared to our taxi ride later that evening - our drive invented extra lanes at any opportunity. At one point, on a regular two way road, which already had two lanes of traffic going our way (not moving), he decided to drive the wrong way down the opposite side of the road. That's when we got out.
I thought Russian driving was bad, but the Mongolians are far worse. Crossing the street is a game of life and death and willpower. The cars do seem to stop when necessary, but the pedestrian cannot show a moment's hesitation. I think it might be part of the UB experience, to lead a road crossing.
***
Went on a walk with Lukas on our last morning in the ger camp. Underestimated it a bit, but got back in time for breakfast.
***
Went for lunch yesterday in Café Amsterdam. Dawa chose it, but it was an obvious Lonely Planet destination, full of English-speaking travellers. It was a glimpse into the future for me. There is a 'look' to everyone - a kind of semi-cool aloofness. I think I'll try avoid LP-recommended places where possible.
***
After that was a trip to the National History Museum. Everything was in English, which was superb, and it filled in lots of gaps in my knowledge of the history of Mongolia. It got a bit propaganda-ish toward the end. The communist takeover of 1921 is still called the Great Democratic Revolution.
Tar éis sin, half the group went shopping, and the other half of us went to see a monument atop a hill on the outskirts of the city. Celebrating the Mongolian-Russian relationship, the views of the city were excellent.
One could really see that UB is on the cusp of an economic boom. One modern glass building has been completed, and several apartment blocks are nearly so. There was even plans for a hotel right underneath the monument. Progress, I guess.
***
Step count at the war memorial:
Dom - 644
Kim - 607
Me - 615
***
Werewolves and Farmers, as played by Lukas, Regine and Brigitte
Cards are dealt - 4 Kings for 4 werewolves, 1 Queen for the witch, 1 Jack for the hunter, and clubs for farmers.
First night: all close eyes, werewolves open to find each other. Gamesmaster takes note of them, and witch, and hunter.
First day: all vote to kill one person, hopefully a werewolf. If tied, all vote again just for tied people.
Second night: all close eyes. Werewolves open eyes, and agree on a target to kill.
Repeat day and night until all werewolves are killed, or the werewolves have a majority.
Each night, after werewolves have selected their target, the witch may use her good or bad essence. Good will save the werewolves' target, bad will kill one person of the witch's choice.
If the hunter is killed, they will shoot another person, so both die.
***
Mongolian countryside is really flat scrubland, beige and brown. The sky is inevitably clear and blue. All in all, beautiful.
***
Passing through the Gobi. Just stopped in Sainshand, and walked the length of the train. Don't seem to be any Chinese people on the train bar the attendants. Might even have another Irish guy.
 |
| Long shadows in the Gobi |
***
http://domcheeseman.blogspot.ie/2011/09/sidenote_21.html
http://domcheeseman.blogspot.ie/2011/10/day-112-ulaanbaatar.html
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