Today, we left Ulaanbaatar and headed out of town. It was mostly a driving day. Our first stop was a temple. This was a working temple, replete with monks but also catering to tourists. Again, the place could have used some upkeep, but it was a nice stop. We saw the monks chanting. There were statues of both Buddha as well as the local gods. This temple was one of the few that survived the Communist purges, mostly because it was a show temple for visiting dignitaries.
Our next stop was the supermarket, to pick up food and water and gifts for the local. Fruits and vegetables were expensive and of poor quality, so I might skip until we get back to civilization.
Then we started west out of town. The roads were bumpy and the seven-hour journey really got really tiring despite the stops and the Russian jeep-bus.
Once we got out of the city, it got pretty sparse. The steppes were very green amidst the rolling hills. We saw sheep, goats, and horses. Lunch was on the side of a hill and a bathroom break was next to a watering hole with horses wallowing in the mud. A very scenic drive.
We got to the ger camp in the early evening. Gers are Mongolian tents. They are flattish with a slightly sloped roof. They are surprisingly well-apportioned with beds and sinks. The bathroom is an outhouse down the ways. I've included some pictures of the camp.
Dinner was very good. A carrot salad, soup, beef patty with oats and mashed potatoes. One of the better camp meals I've had.
No shower tonight. We're hiking to a monastery tomorrow. Later we'll visit a local family in their ger. Early nights and early mornings...
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