Trans-Mongolian Railway

Though I wasn't fortunate enough to make it into Beijing via Moscow on the Trans-Siberian route, I was able to take the train from UB to BJ on the Trans-Mongolian line. I had read about how it was a social train and it sounded like many other like minded travelers would be on it and endless fun would ensue. You may have already guessed this, but this was not the case. Passengers mainly stayed in their rooms and the cafe car that I had read was a hotbed of social interaction was actually a restaurant car where people got food but did not really communicate. I did meet a few other travelers who had had similar thoughts and were surprised at the sterile like environment of the train.

I had wanted to go 2nd class to meet more people but all I could get was 1st class. I know, not the end of the world. My roommate was a turkish fellow who had travelled over 80 countries. He didn't like planes so mostly took trains, boats, buses, and cars. He was very friendly, though he slept for the majority of the 30 hour commute.

The train has arrived and people are beginning to board their respective cars.

My car attendants checking the people in line ahead of me. I had someone take a picture of me with the ladies, but they ended up taking a video instead. Not sure why but this "asking for photo and getting video" was a common thing in mongolia. odd

my roommate. I had bottom bunk

Leaving UB!

First stop. 2 weeks ago and I've already forgotten the Cyrillic I learned.

Gobi from the train. Ger in the distance.

Next stop. Locals peddling warez. Sadly no meat paddies or dumplings were being sold. :(

Gers and sand dunes.

Camels in the distance!

The sun begins to set.

Sunset over a small town

Sunset over a small town

At the border we pull into an area to change the gauges of the rails, as Mongolia/Russia use different sized than China. Of course.

Changing of the guage.

First real glimpse of China.

good morning! I love these samovar type hot water thermoses. Definitely something to acquire when I get back to the states.

scenes from the rail

scenes from the rail

a city in the distance

a city in the distance

just some of the numerous corn crops we passed.

mountains.

building and building...

The only non BJ stop we were allowed to get off of the train at. we were given maybe 5 minutes.

stacks and stacks and cones and cones. industrial china

beautiful scenes from the rail

rivers and mountains. so lovely.

scenes from the rail

nature and development

At last, arriving at Beijing Main Station.

Lunchtime in UB

I wrote this a few weeks ago as I walked out into the open air in UB and got the pleasant smell, of numerous Khuushurr sellers peddling their wares on the streets, hitting me smack dab in the face.

Lunchtime in UB

The smell of deep fried mutton

Dances in the air

Backpacking Haiku

While I have a small (and diminishing) hole in the firewall of this great, great country I thought I'd post a haiku I wrote while traveling from Mongolia to Beijing on the Trans-Mongolian Express. I'm not sure on the last line and would appreciate feedback from the community. namaste

I am a turtle
With my home upon the back
Smells like laundry time

I am a turtle
With my home upon the back
Travel heals my soul

A day trip to Kharkhorin

I went out for an overnight trip to Kharkhorin with Batbold, a co-worker of Jocelyn's. Kharkhorin is about a 5-6 hours drive west of UB, and the roads are predominately paved (something you can't say for most of the countries roads.) Kharkhorin was once the capital of the country and also hosts Erdene Zuu. Erdene Zuu used to be a great temple before the communists destroyed it and religion in the country. They are rebuilding it currently, and many monks have started studying there again. Because of the communists destruction most is gone and and Erdene Zuu is a museum but in the shell of what it once was.

The crew was me, Batbold, his wife and his adorable 2 year old. His son took a little getting used to me, but soon enough was calling me "ackhar" which means something like big brother.

We stopped for a quick camel ride. Here is Batbold's wife and son. She used to live in the Gobi and knows how to ride well. She helped me lead a camel by myself. A bit scary not having someone pull you but really fun. Surprisingly when camels get running they can really move.

Penis rock. Once viewed as a sacred rock for fertility. Many having troubles getting pregnant would travel far just to touch it, thinking it would help. Just in case, I stayed far away.

another angle of the old penis rock.

The new penis rock monument.

Clearly circumcision is practices in mongolia.

just in case you wanted another angle.

Erdene Zuu

stupas and blue skies. Erdene Zuu has 108 stupas on the walls surrounding the monastery.

The 3 buddhas.

buddha

A beautiful ceiling.

different buddhas. each had a different theme or from a different time.

blue skies and stuppas.

blue skies and stuppas and mountains.

turtle rock. It had something to do with the ancients believing the world was actually not round but on a turtles back so having it as a border had some sort of protection. no, not kidding here.

another angle of the turtle.

another mongolian goal down. having a giant eagle on my arm.

surprisingly heavy. I was scared to look him in the eye as he may have clawed me to death.

check out his talons!! huge.

what a beautiful animal.

sunset

beautiful colors in the distant.

throwing rocks in the river. Both Batbold and I are not the best skimmers of rocks.

brothers! Seriously, how cute is this kid? We'd be walking and I'd just hold my hand out or a few fingers and he'd grab on for support.