UHC Mongolia

Many say it's the the world's last true frontier. The unmitigated vastness of the Mongolian steppe is simply breathtaking- one rolling hill after another of kelly green pastures that closely resemble scenery from Lord of the Rings, crisp refreshing air, blue skies, scattered herds of sheep, cattle and horses that look splatter-painted from afar. Staying at a ger camp in Terelj National Park this weekend was lots of fun...I had never ridden a horse before, but there isn't a better place for a first-timer to give it a go than in Mongolia. In the countryside, children first learn to ride horses when they're four years old, shortly after they've acquired the skills to walk. Our group set out for a post-dinner rendezvous escorted by two young Mongolian boys and a girl. Clearly, they knew horses like I know my own two feet. The language barrier was a little tricky at times (all I could get out of the one boy dragging me along was that he was 17), but we had a great time and they led us all over the landscape to a huge rock that resembled a turtle. If our horse slowed down at all, one of the kids would gallup up behind it and yell "choo!!!" (meaning 'go', I presume) and give it a swift tap in the rear. My horse then proceeded to take off a number of times, but I learned quicly to sit up in my saddle and simply go with the flow. Some horses were stubborn, some a little too eager, and some just downright smelly, but riding horses in Mongolia made my entire trip worthwhile.

At night we climbed up to the top of the hill and gazed at the stars for a while.. I saw the most amazing shooting star I'd ever seen- an explosion of light streaking across the sky, I couldn't believe how big it was. The trouble is, in Mongolia, shooting stars are considered bad luck. Now that, my friend, is a true shame.

~Evan