During June when Rhonda and Noel Jensen came to visit we went to the countryside for a weekend with our friend Bek and his family at their summer camp. We went about 4 hours drive north of Ulaanbaatar and found ourselves in a lovely tree-lined valley, with a small creek running through it. Everything was green, the air was clean.
Some of us slept in a tent and the others in a ger. Bek's family is Mongolian Kazakh, so speak Kazakh instead of Mongolian and have some different traditions. At night we were lulled to sleep by the noises of the goats, sheep, cows and horses that were stabled around the ger. Once they settled for the night they were remarkably quiet.
On the Saturday afternoon we climbed down into a ravine, with a small ice-lined creek running through it. The ravine was full of wild flowers and butterflies.
This is one of the local boys filling his cap to have a water fight with Chris.
Keira lounging by the small river (photo taken by Rhonda Jensen)
We were also treated to the sight of local horsemen breaking in some wild horses. This pair ran around us at top speed several times, very beautiful.
These stallions are far too cool for their hair!
We had a traditional Mongolian meal of goat cooked with hot stones. Keira inspected the entire process, ensuring quality control.
Everyone tucked into their meal, sitting in the shade of a vehicle as it was a very hot afternoon.
This is Bek's sister and her two sons. She was our host for the weekend. Her son spoke no English, but formed a nice friendship with Alesia.
This is one of the grandmother's in the family, with the newest addition.
So, which one of the three riders above was NOT born riding a horse!
The girl's at sunset with new friends. Thanks for a wonderful weekend Bek...
