Julie and I had an interesting trip north this weekend to the village of Dashbalbar, located about 4 hours drive from our home in Choibalsan. We traveled with Chinbaa and Odmaa on behalf of the Eastern Mongolia Protected Areas Administration. This agency is charged with managing the natural protected areas here in the east and we are helping them develop a youth ecology camp for this summer in the short-term and to improve their tourism skills for the long-run.
In a larger nature reserve up north, the local herder community owns and operates a small fledgling camp facility at Chukh Lake. A few years ago, nine local families combined resources to buy a main building and seven A-frame structures with the goal of generating some income in a hospitality enterprise. They have a lot of work to do, but seem committed to the project and to goals of protecting their lands from further environmental degradation posed by over-grazing, and the illegal harvesting of trees, animals, and medicinal plants. We were happy to meet with the group, hear their aspirations, offer some early advice and drink a toast or two to strong relationships.
When we arrived, the families were constructing a model ger (yurt) for the upcoming summer season. They had just acquired it from UB and it will serve as beautiful and comfortable accommodation for lucky visitors. We were invited to help put it together. The entire process takes about 30-45 minutes total. It has a very efficient construction allowing for speedy assembly and comfort for nomadic living.
We took a packed mini-van (meeker) home with a highlight being an unexpected stop at a family’s home. The custom is for anyone to enter a home unannounced at anytime. When visitors appear, tea is served, so we shared tea with all of the meeker passengers while we waited for a sheep to be chosen from the flock. You see, this sheep was to ride in the meeker with us to Choibalsan. We were not too put-off by the smell of sheep dip for most of the ride home. At least, the sheep was not in our laps. Sometimes, sheep will get packed in amongst the passengers, which is not at all uncommon. And another thing - camels are HUGE!!!
In a larger nature reserve up north, the local herder community owns and operates a small fledgling camp facility at Chukh Lake. A few years ago, nine local families combined resources to buy a main building and seven A-frame structures with the goal of generating some income in a hospitality enterprise. They have a lot of work to do, but seem committed to the project and to goals of protecting their lands from further environmental degradation posed by over-grazing, and the illegal harvesting of trees, animals, and medicinal plants. We were happy to meet with the group, hear their aspirations, offer some early advice and drink a toast or two to strong relationships.
When we arrived, the families were constructing a model ger (yurt) for the upcoming summer season. They had just acquired it from UB and it will serve as beautiful and comfortable accommodation for lucky visitors. We were invited to help put it together. The entire process takes about 30-45 minutes total. It has a very efficient construction allowing for speedy assembly and comfort for nomadic living.
We took a packed mini-van (meeker) home with a highlight being an unexpected stop at a family’s home. The custom is for anyone to enter a home unannounced at anytime. When visitors appear, tea is served, so we shared tea with all of the meeker passengers while we waited for a sheep to be chosen from the flock. You see, this sheep was to ride in the meeker with us to Choibalsan. We were not too put-off by the smell of sheep dip for most of the ride home. At least, the sheep was not in our laps. Sometimes, sheep will get packed in amongst the passengers, which is not at all uncommon. And another thing - camels are HUGE!!!
