Mongolian BBQ

This past weekend, we experienced a version of our first "Mongolian BBQ." Jim's co-workers invited us to the countryside for a picnic in our honor and to "welcome us as friends." Very, VERY sweet!!!

The standard picnic includes a day at the river. It was a typically hot day with temps in the 90's. The Kherlen River is a clean, cool meanderer that was very refreshing for Jim and his new friends. The boys, Jim included, were without bathing suits, but not shy about stripping down to their underwear. To Julie's disappointment, Jim is just shy enough to keep pictures of same off the blog, though. Immodesty has its limits.

The "BBQ" consists of meat, usually sheep or goat, and veggies in a dish called Horhog. The chunks are put into a small can that resembles a milk can we've seen at home. River stones and a little water are also mixed in and the covered can is buried in a fire. Here's the result.

Other standard picnic items include tomatoes, cukes, a bologna-like substance called "hyam," bread and cookies. Beverages are typically sugar-laden fruit juice (apple, peach and pineapple are popular), bottled water, vodka and beer.

We were joined for our feast by a local goat herder who was minding a flock of about 200 for cashmere. After eating, the gang insisted that the two of us hop onto his horse for a brief stroll. I was afraid - not for me, but for the horse, which was a small yearling that would have suffered chronic back trouble supporting me. Julie has a much lighter touch and made another fast friend.

We also had fun playing 2-on-2 soccer with an over-inflated basketball, having river mud fights and singing Mongolian traditional tunes. Julie and I spent a couple afternoon hours exploring a nearby lake and birdlife that included cool species like Palla's Sandgrouse, Eurasion Spoonbills, Saunder's Gulls, along with Swan and Bar-headed Geese.

The closing scenery was quite an impressive end to a fun day!