Life In a Mongolian Ger

This is a bit out of sequence but just realized that I had missed covering our stay in a traditional Mongolian ger in Terelj National Park. It is interesting in that this National Park has many ger encampments that are privately owned and operated. some are large and corporate with golf courses, yes golf courses, while others are family owned and operated. Ours was owned and operated by a lovely Mongolian family with lots of teenaged kids who did most of the work.

There is a central ger where we ate and went for supplies that houses the kitchen, the portable washer, the microwave, the electric hot pots, and most prized of all, the LCD wide-screen TV and entertainment centre.

The lavatory is traditional pit, mens and ladies with seats and an interesting open-air urinal. The road runs by it but it quite liberating to do your business in the open air. One of the photos is the view from the throne. Quite spectacular.

There were four individual gers that housed 4 or 5 people each. They were snug little things with single beds ringed around the outside complete with sandwich duvets and warm wool covers. In the centre is the skylight and chimney vent for the very efficient cast iron stove. The light from the vent and an open door are the only windows to the world but offer a pleasing charm to the bright colours of the place.

At night there was the gentle sound of rain on the roof, the light of candles and the almost over powering warm from the stove when it was fired up by the younger teen. The views down the valley were spectacular as where the rock formations. We got to go horseback riding to explore the area between rain showers. Resident dogs and visiting horses, cows and hobbled camels that roamed freely made it quite the show.

Footnote: Mongolia experienced a very cold winter with minus 50 celsius at times. Apparently over 25% of the livestock were lost to the cold and there is lasting evidence in the way of bones and skulls across this rural country.