Mongolia 2011

Mongolia Monday- Almost Time For My Next Trip!

| foxstudio
Early evening, Baga Gazriin Chuluu, July 2009

One week from tomorrow I’ll be leaving on my sixth trip to Mongolia. I’ll spend six days in Ulaanbaatar and then will be going out to the countryside with a fellow artist, sculptor Pokey Park. I’ll be showing her the best places I’ve found for viewing wildlife: Hustai National Park, Baga Gazriin Chuluu Nature Reserve, Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve and Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve.

Depending on internet availability, I’ll do a post when I can.

This trip is a little different because I haven’t had to buy any new gear, just make sure I’ve got it packed. And for that I’ve got a list I’ve honed over time.

I’m expecting to see very visible changes in Ulaanbaatar as the economy heats up from the start of various mining operations and a flood of would-be investors pouring in from all over the world. But I know the timelessly beautiful countryside, my beloved earth roads and the hospitality of the herders will be there for me and now I get to share it with a fellow artist.

I’m finishing up the painting of Carolina parakeets and intend to debut it here on Friday, but otherwise,  until I post from Land of Blue Skies….daraaa uulzii! (See you later!)

Mongolia Monday- Countdown To Departure! Plus How To Cross The Street In Ulaanbaatar

| foxstudio
Peace Avenue, August 8, 2008

I’ll be leaving on my 2011 trip to Mongolia two weeks from tomorrow. Things are pretty simple this time, no new gear to buy for a change. Duffles are out and I’m starting to collect various things I’m taking and staging it all in the guest room.

I’ll be staying with a family in Ulaanbaatar for the first week, seeing friends, getting a couple of new del made and doing some sketching. I’ll also be checking out how much things have changed since last year, when there was a lot of sidewalk repair and general clean-up going on in the central part of the city.

Contrast

It will also be interesting to see if any of the traffic calming measures are working. At this point, the biggest adrenaline rush I get in Mongolia is crossing the street in UB. On my first few trips, I literally waited at a corner until an elderly Mongol or a young mother with small children came along and then I crossed with them, figuring they would get at least some consideration.

The last trip, I finally (mostly) figured out the pattern and started to cross on my own. The drivers cut it really close, but aren’t actually trying to hit anyone (mostly), so the safest course of action is to do what they expect. This does, however, often leave my lizard brain screaming at me that “You’re gonna die!”

Buildings lining Sukhbaatar Square: the reddish one on the left is now the stock exchange

But I still like the crazy city, which has great energy and vibrance, along with some really cool architecture and good restaurants. And it’s such a contrast to the countryside, with its earth roads, incredible scenery, wildlife, herders and quiet.

Saikhan Gobi (Beautiful Gobi)

Two weeks to go….