A meeting on the trail...
- Was the trip good? asks Galtsog.
It's warm outside, horses are keeping themselves peace and quiet...
Sat inside the yurt after a long walk, we're taking back our breath and enjoying the coolness of the heavy, milky gusts rising up from the sea.
Climbing up the mountain overlooking the valley, looking then at Siberia, we've been contemplating perpetual snow... Breathtaking vista... An immaculate white joins the so unique azure of the Mongolian sky... Splendour of a place still hosted by those souls our guest talked about...
Shadows stretching, streaks of sun reddening, temperature declining. Slight gusts of a thermal wind slowly arising. Amazing overflow of the perfumes of the steppe...
Galtsog makes some fire for our shashlikis. The recipe of these Caucasian pickled brochettes arrived in Mongolia together with the Soviet people.
Not so long ago, our friend was still lighting his wood fire with a stone, bestowing grass and dried mosses.Today he makes use of matches although this old-timer technique that works in the rain remains strong at heart.
Higher and higher burns the flame, fire is crackling.
Laying close by the hearth, starry sky in the eyes and Bayandorj's cradling song in the air, we're all deep in a dream. Which day is it?... Yesterday?... Today?... Tomorrow?...
Don't bother yourself with a suitcase, for they are not convenient at all. Take rather your backpack: it will be much handier. In addition to the backpack, we usually take a soft personal bag, sportsbag-like, and a beggar's bag as well, in which photo equipment and films use to be stored in. On return, use the sportsbag as your cabin luggage, filled with the articles purchased throughout your journey. Our baggage is always full of articles bought there - not to mention the multiple gifts of the parents-in-law. Whatever may be put in it, may you use it or not, this sportsbag always remains practical and weightless.
Keep in mind that most airlines restrain checked-in luggage to 20kg per person. Extra costs will be charged for the overload, which is likely not to be useful during your trip. Rather save some free place for your on-site purchases...
It's a common trap to overburden one's luggage with useless kit and caboodle or a wardrobe sized out of reason. Tips for you: the list below gives a summary of what we do usually carry on a journey.
| SUMMER... | WINTER... |
| - Hiking shoes (to be worn and shaped beforehand) - Light shoes (sportshoes) - 2 / 3 pairs of trousers, shorts bermudas - Long-sleeve shirts - T-shirts - Cotton socks - Gloves - Raincoat / Slicker Poncho or similar - one more "urban" dress - Swimming suit |
- Really warn hiking shoes - Long johns (type thermolactyl) - Polar wear, warm and light - Socks (favour wool and cotton) - Gloves. I personally use under-gloves and winter bike gloves. They are thin and convenient for shooting - Chapka (russian hat) - Facial protection: a polar mask or a warm scarf is almost compulsory... |
Basically, and whatever the country you're travelling in, dress in a way not to shock or offend the locals. Mongols take care of their dress, let's do the same.
To dress in winter times, remember that a windless -15°C in Mongolia (land of low hygrometry) is rather more manageable than +10°C in Brittany (land of high hygrometry). Any equipment must be very warm, not too tight and leave you free from sweating. In order to face the cold, like -30°C or such, bear in mind the following two lines:
On a journey, unfitting equipment or forgotten little cram may make your trip go really bad. On that topic, safety and quality should always prevail. Check up your equipment and if necessary, repair or merely replace any defective part.
| EQUIPMENT... |
| - a warm slepping-bag. Even in summertime, for nights use to be cold - A watch - Quality sunglasses (at the optician.s - A knive, within checked-in baggage - A lighter, always helpfull - A first aid kit - Copies of passports and papers - pocket binoculars (8x20 ou 10x25 at the optician.s) - camera + films + batteries - Torch or head lamp + batteries - Toilet outfit - Contact lenses users: USE DISPOSABLE LENS - Spectacles users: THINK ABOUT SPARE EQUIPMENT |
Auntie Baya would like to remind her lady colleagues that no journey does stop menstrual cycles. Getting the adequate commodities in the steppe mightn't be that easy. So ladies, don't forget the "ammo"...
What about my travelling guide?
Numerous travelling guides to Mongolia have been published and can be found in any respectable book store.
