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The capitol city of Ulan Bataar is a somewhat depressing Soviet Era example of bland architecture, with high unemployment since the collapse of communism here in 1990. But if you leave the Capitol behind, you can find the Mongolian steppes, a vast land of solitary beauty, where more than half the population lives in the traditional nomadic ger huts that they have used since Chinggis Khan (more popularly known as Ghengis Khan) ruled here 600 years ago. |
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The monument to Sukhbataar, below, stands in the center of Sukhbataar Square, the heart of Ulan Bataar. The square is huge, and when we visited, vacant. |
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Our own little Ger hut, above,right, and with Kim at left. Below, they were so nice, they gave us a wedding cake! The blessings are in Mongolian. |
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The hard saddle with stirrups, which revolutionized warfare in the 5th century, was invented by the Mongols, whose hard saddle above is little changed in 1400 years. |
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The Mongolians play a very fun game called "anklebones", made of sheep ankle bones on a sheep's hair felt board. Kim tries it at right |
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