As many of you are aware, I spent six days on board a train traveling from Moscow to Beijing in June 2006. On the way, I saw many interesting cities in European Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, and China as well as numerous geographical features, notably the Ural Mountains (I use the term "mountains" loosely), Lake Baikal, and the Gobi Desert. While the train ride was better than I could have ever hoped, there was one day I could have done without.We arrived in Mongolia on the fifth day of our journey and I was greeted first by rolling grass covered hills occasionally occupied by a Yurt, (traditional Mongolian tent). After the pleasant appearance of the countryside, we eventually arrived in the capital, Ulan Bator. The city has some traditional buildings situated in the the center of town, but it is made up mostly of Communist style apartments (Mongolia was a communist country until the early 1990's) and Yurts. The second picture I posted is an image of a number of Yurts within the city limits. After we left the city, there were brief views of mountains, but then it quickly became desert. The rest of the afternoon was dry miserable desert. I have never disliked an environment more! There was dirt and sand blowing around the train. It makes me nostalgic just thinking of it! Along the way there were many small outposts selling ice cream and some of the most vile "spring" water I've ever drank. It was at one of these outposts that I got a picture with a nice little monument to Soviet-Mongolian friendship. If you know anything about history, you know the Mongolians really took advantage of Russia under that arrangement!
Well, that was my day in Mongolia. It is officially the first country that I have no desire to return to. Despite this fact, I'm glad I went. Genghis Khan was conspicuously absent, but I forgive him due to the pressing matters of raping and pillaging the world. In conclusion, I would recommend a visit to Mongolia if you have a hankering for heat, dirt, and the opportunity to see the skeletons of dead horses sparkling in the desert sun.
-Todd
