We got to the border and couldn’t ride across. We had to pay 100rmb per each to hire an old russian jeep to charter us across the border.
Got to Zamyn Udd – hottest city in the country. Roads disappeared and a sandstorm hit. We were stranded for 2 days and finally caught a train to Ulaanbatar. Had to leave our bikes behind on a separate train.
Ambushed at the train station – my new point and shoot Nikon got stolen and other random needless things out of my pocket. Must have happened before waving down the police officer when they loaded our luggage and then wanted way too much money.
All bad luck – but our bikes arrived safely.
We have been at this hostel for 2 nights now and I woke up losing my ambition and drive – I have got to get back on the road. The people here are great and there is a group producing a pilot which they interviewed me – so America – look out, I could be a tv star…ha, yeah right.
The first day here, I walked around crying – overwhelmed and confused. Today is better, just some down time hanging out with folks at this newly opened, and confused hostel. It’s completely occupied by Americans and Israeli’s – strange for Mongolia right?
I’m adjusting to the country but can’t quite come to terms with the alcoholism. I went to try and see about a bike repair and they tried sending me to the black market, with “it’s not too late, they aren’t drunk yet”. No thanks, I’ll wait for China….oh China, I miss you.
This country needs a lot of help. I see too many older kids that look like beaten puppies majority of the working class seem to be women. On the train and at the station there are signs asking that you please don’t get drunk and hang out on the train tracks. I see drunks fighting in the morning (man vs woman) or a woman nearly passing out at 1 in the afternoon with what looks like ketchup down her shirt.
If I ever hear another Chinese person tell me how poor they are I will smack them silly and send them here…this place has NOTHING except for a lot of sand.
When I was in Zamyn-Udd and trying to hitch a ride up North, there were 2 boys riding a bike around us. One would ride and the other would push. They were hanging out around us and were a little worried because of the traffic and hoping they weren’t going to get killed because of us. I gave each of them an American penny after the boy on the bike tried to give me some cash. I had some really great pics of them but they were stolen – my photos stolen. I’m sure he used the money to buy more booze and not clothes for his kids. Hopefully he doesn’t have any children….I don’t know what to think about this country….
We head out tomorrow for 2 weeks…..
Brick Wall, Brick Wall, too many brick walls in Mongolia August 7th, 2010WanderCyclist
