At the beach at the beach......

As a kid, I never had the annual family vacation that many do. My friend Tiffany still goes to the same mountain resort, the same week of the year, to simultaneously unwind and recharge. Every year I hear about the bingo games, who had to share what cabin, and you won the dart tournament. And even though I've always prided myself on being the sort of person that doesn't get attached to one particular place, (Home is within, wanderlust and all that jazz) I have always been just a tad jealous of the annual retreat. The idea of returning to a place that isn't home, but still familiar, must be wonderfully comforting. The rituals associated with getting ready for what is guaranteed to be a good time, regardless of weather, traffic or other minor mishap that's bound to occur seem natural and necessary to the human spirit.

This memorial day will mark my third trip to Destin, Florida. I will drive 6.5 hours. The night before I will throw shorts, t-shirts, swim suit and some undies into a bag. I will make a last minute trip to Wal-mart--a store I only go to in preparation for this trip for last minute food, sunblock and flip-flops. I will leave Savannah later than I initially planned. I will be amazed that the orange road construction barrels still stand sentry on the way to Jacksonville, but no progress to the road has been made. I will curse how long Florida is (both in width and length). I will pass the building in Tallahassee that reminds me of a Duracell battery and I will think "almost there!" even though is at least 2 more hours of driving. I will drive over the bridge, pass the permanently docked shrimp boat, and drive right by our condos and need to turn back around. I will find a key under the mat, grab a beer from the fridge and head down to the beach--Terri's white tent will be a straight shot from the gate. I will say my hellos, settle in and remark that I can't believe how green the water is, how soft the sand feels. Someone will tell me that they call this part of Florida the emerald coast. Terri will make sure I have applied sunscreen, but I will burn anyway. Our only plans for the next three days will be, whose turn is it to make the 5 o'clock mudslides and who is making dinner.

And somewhere, sometime---I will realize that I have my family vacation.

Mardi Gras 2009

After years of visiting, yet managing to avoid any major festival, I headed out to Terri's to take in Mardi Gras. A part of me has always wanted to go, but in truth, there has been another part of me that has been kind of proud that I had successfully dodged a tourist trap and experienced "real" southern Louisiana by visiting outside of carnival season. I knew Mardi Gras was supposed to be fun. Hedonistic, boozy bleary fun. But I was afraid that if would feel too manufactured. And there is nothing worse than structured fun, major festival or not.

Thankfully, I was so wrong. Mardi Gras is every great thing you'd expect; vibrant colors, great music, cold drinks and numerous throws. Better yet, Mardi Gras has a lot to offer that you (or me at least) would have never anticipated; incredible floats, friendly people, family/friend tailgates and kid friendly parades.

2010--The Next Odyssey

Terri isn't aware (yet) that I am keeping this blog going, but seeing as I apparently proved up in travel buddy department, I believe the new plan is this:

1. There will be no inheritance for me (there was an inheritance for me?)


2. Any money will be better spent on once every other year trips to far flung places


3. My job is to plan; make half ass attempts at learning the language


4. Step-momma pays for fare, food and feather bed (or cot, mat, hammock--depending on where we might be).

The 2010 trip has been pinned down to 2 places, Scotland or Ecuador/Galapagos Islands. Both of us have been wanting to see Scotland for a while, but I think that there is a mutual feeling of visiting more adventurous (and McDonald-less) places while we are still both young (relatively) and healthy (in theory). Anyway, research will commence and live here for Terri to peruse and make the final decision, as I am just along for the ride......

Anyone out there leaning towards one country over the other? If so why?

Our Trip home

For anyone that may still be reading this---we arrived safely home after a long series of flights early Saturday Morning. Finally clear of jetlag--let me share our final adventure with you----at least our final adventure this trip.

About 30 minutes into our flight from UB to Moscow, we were told we had to turn back due to a technical problem with the plane. We landed safely, but were delayed by about 8 hours. (MIAT air apparently doesn't have a lot of spare planes hanging around---so this one had to get fixed.)

We arrived in Moscow about 8 pm and were put up, by MIAT I assume, in a "hotel". Although the front of the hotel seemingly just that, with all your hotel trappings (lobby, restaurant, business center etc) we didn't have the opportunity to actually see or use any of these things. Being without an official visa, we were escorted by security to a back entrance of the hotel. Surrenduring our tickets and passports we were then led up to the 5th floor, and locked in.

The the hallway and room had a decidedly less "modern Russian" and more Soviet atmosphere. I spent some of the evening with other detainees (other poor souls with broken and delayed planes) in the hallway, which I nicknamed the exercise yard. To the family from France, the guy from Egypt trying to let his family know where he was, our Turkish "guide" who had experienced this same thing, in the same hotel, just a few weeks ago and to the father and son from Holland trying to get to Thailand---I hope you all reached your destinations safe and sound.

No food that night--but a lady with a cart and a bucket(!) of porridge came in the morning. And hour or so later---security came again (tall, dour looking men in black suits and smoking---guess former KGB agents need work too!) returned our passports and took us back to the airport.

This was all mildly unsettling at the time---but mostly funny--in that weary I can't believe this is actually happening kind of way. Now that I'm home safe and sound--I have to admit, the traveller in me LOVED that it happened, it makes for such a great story : )

Why I went to Mongolia.

For most part when I told people I was going to Mongolia the response was “why Mongolia?” And I would respond “there are no McDonalds in Mongolia”, not that I have anything against McDonald.

I wanted to experience and visit a culture of people who have learned to live in extreme cold and desert heat, who learned to adapt and survive, and utilize every thing at hand to the fullest, and some still do today. To visit a culture still fighting to become their own, a people who conquered many and have been conquered by several.

Although, Mongolia is stepping up to become like the remaining, high-tech, industrialized countries, I was not disappointed. The people are friendly, hospitable and for most part still have that old fashion; welcome stranger can I help you.

With most of the younger generation going away to college and learning new easier ways of living, the life as a nomad herder moving each season to greener pastures has fallen to a small percentage of the Mongols living in the county.

Only the city has paved roads the country side is still fill of dirt paths worn by horses, Russian motorbike and jeeps. You can drive for miles and see nothing but nothing, but then, you see the ger, the herd, the family working and I knew this is the Mongolia I have dreamed of.

Terri

Stuck in UB

Well, we took off on time at 8:20 am this morning but after about 30 minutes in the air...we were told there was a problem with the plane and we had to turn back. It is now 2:16 pm local time and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a 4:00 pm departure....but given we were told that at 11:00 am and 1:00 we are not super confident. For all of you that may be paying attention to when we were supposed to be back (the evening of the 17th) it is looking like we will be spending the night in the Moscow airport and we will be getting home sometime on the 18th.

Keep us in your thoughts for safe travels home!

Pics of Nadaam--Camping in Terelj

Hi all--before I get started on our little camping trip in the countryside---I first wanted to give you the link to the pics of the Naadam festival--which Terri wrote about earlier. You can see them here.

So after Naadam, we loaded up and headed out to Terelj National Park. It's relatively close to UB--but here, close is a really subjective term, mainly due to the infrastructure. Ready to stop breathing dirty city air--the six of us happily set off--accomplished driver and hardy Soviet Era Van in tow (called a Forgone) for the country.

The drive was beautiful and incredibly bumpy--just as they all have been. We had some extra adventure by crossing several rivers in the van--lifting our feet and bags to avoid any incoming water. We were following the family member of the place we were staying at -- but he was on horseback and could go places much easier than we could. Never the less, after lots of chanting and cheering on of the driver---we got to our destination--a family ger camp inside the park boundaries.

Boundaries, that's kind of a funny word here---seeing as there are (outside the city at least) none. Its strange for me--who is so used to trails, fences and velvet ropes guiding me through sites, to be allowed virtually anywhere. The family had set up shop inside the park. They had their own ger---and kept one for tourists, and also offered themselves as horse guides. We had a traditional Mongolian meal (Bowl o'meat, yogurt curd jerky, botz--a type of yummy dumpling filled with--you guessed it, meat, and vodka.) We spent the rest of the day hiking--chatting and playing scrabble.

The next day we hit the "non" trail and went horse back riding. Now, Becky was a little concerned about us going, she recently fell off of a Mongolian Horse, one of her interns fell of a horse when we first came to town and ended up going home AND we saw someone bite it when we were driving to the camp. Eleanor, Jerri, Terri and I were determined though, so Becky had a talk with the family---please go slow.

Mongolians don't do slow on horseback--at least they don't seem to like to --- the old man who was leading us kept teaching us how to say "go faster" (Choo) to our horses. We never did learn slow down or stop. It was great to be given free reign (sorry no pun intended) to guide our horses over streams, through valleys and across hills. Just knowing that, given the time and the ability, that you could go anywhere in the country was incredibly liberating.

We've settled back in UB now--couple of days for museum and souvenir shopping. We have had an incredible time. This will most likely be my last post in country---I'll do one more final thoughts, with pictures, once I get back home. For anyone that's been reading this--thanks for taking this journey with us--and please keep us in your thoughts for safe and speedy travel back home. Terlj Pics can be found here.

Take Care All.

Love,

Mel