Adjustments and First Impressions

Some answers to general questions I’ve been asked and I’m sure are on your minds also:

1. Like it in Mongolia; been to the countryside or on a horse: yes, twice, and yes (getting better at holding on when they start to gallop unexpectedly).

2. First Impressions: too many to list them all but some are: (1) the sun is like the presence of God, shinning with intensity until 10pm; (2) there is a lack of trees and shade in general, coupled with impression #1 makes for a very hot summer; (3) Mongolians have a problem with littering; (4) with the lack of a public transportation system and paved roads, hitching is very common; (5) most Mongolians identify themselves as Buddhist but don’t actively practice.

3. Hardest to adjust to: frequent unexpected power surges that last for hours at a time and swatting to pee and poop, esp. those LONG poop sessions outside in pit toilets…I am NOT looking forward to such sessions during the upcoming winter.

4. How deep do the hole on those pit toilets go: depends on the ‘newness’ of the hole, if it was recently dug (then it would be about 10-15ft) or almost full (3-5ft). The only restrictions are: (1) must be located 20ft from the house, and (2) at least 20ft away from a natural water source.

5. Miss the most: paved roads and the feeling of riding on asphalt, indoor plumbing, and the cushions of a toilet seat.

6. Packing the right things: between the advice on packing from the current M17 group in the Mongolia Welcoming Book and my natural instincts, I did pretty well with the packing. However, I did pack for ger living (when in doubt, pack for the worse) but alas, it turns out that I most likely will be living in a heated, indoor plumbing, apartment in an aimag center (aka: providence capital). There goes the extra sleeping bag, solar shower bag, and endless supply of baby wipes.