Could I possibly be any less in ohio?

So I have arrived. Finally after all the months of planning, working, filling out forms etc. etc. I have arrived in Mongolia. It is an interesting place. The landscape is like nothing I have ever seen really. There are almost no trees in this part of the country. Even as we descended into the Genghis Khan international airport way above the ground I could only see a smattering of wooded areas. Nonetheless the countryside is beautiful. Rolling hills, frozen and covered in snow as far as the eye can see with endlessly blue skies stretching constantly overhead. Watching the sun set over the steppe from my airplane window was quite a sight. Everything was bathed in blue and pink and orange. It was really something. I have already made two friends since I have been in the country. The first was my seat mate on the airplane. As the plane boarded I had really hoped that I would be sitting alone so I could move over to the window seat and check out the land as we flew in. No such luck. I was soon partnered with a middle aged Mongolian man who at first didn't talk much. In fact we didn't exchange any word until our airplane dinner was brought to us. As I got ready to tuck into my spicy pork my seat mate raised his tiny complimentary glass of wine to me and toasted me before the meal began. I have never been toasted by a stranger on an airplane before and the gesture took me by surprise. After that point we engaged in some sparse conversation. I told him I was a student studying abroad, etc. And I learned that he works as an engineer on the trans Siberian railroad. Somewhere during the conversation he must have taken a liking to me, or at least taken pity on me and my obvious outofplaceness. In either case I was very fortunate to have met him. After we deplaned he guided me through every step of entry process, and translated for me when I discovered that Korean Air left my bag in Korea. If it weren't for him It would have been difficult at best to figure out how to get my luggage back. Fortunately my bag is due to arrive tomorrow. He even offered me a ride to the hostel and waited for me until my ride did show up. In the end he even gave me his card and asked me to call him if I am ever in need of help while I am in Mongolia

The ride into Ulaanbaatar was even more interesting than the plane ride. Traffic laws here are loose, if even existent at all. There doesn't really seem to be a speed limit and there is alot of passing at strange times, honking, and general mayhem. The steering wheel on the cars here is on the right side. Yet, everyone still drives on the right side of the road. Confusing. We drove through several White and Gold arches, passed some smoky nasty coal plants, and drove past many night clubs, resteraunts, and shops with funny names. There was a diner called "Texas", El Latino, and my personal favorite, a hair and beauty parlor named "Destroy." When I got to my hostel it was arodn nine o'clock and I more or less immediately passed out in my comfy bed. It felt good to fall asleep lying down.

I am the only person staying at Zaya's Hostel right now. I pretty much have the place all to myself and I have spent the day reading, cautiously exploring the city, and talking to Zaya. Actually, most of my day has been spent chatting with my host. We had a three hour conversation over breakfast this morning about everything. I am only exaggerating a little bit. We discussed politics (american and mongolian), culture, spirtuality, Mongolia, ohio, nature, writing, and even buisness. Zaya has many journalists, researchers, scientists, and students coming through her place and she took some time to give me advice on making money as a writer. We were basically strangers a few hours ago and yet we had one of the most intense, in depth, philosophical discussions that I have had in a good long time. In the process I also learned quite a bit about the country I am staying in. Most everyone here throat sings, there are many pickpockets, and the spring time is very dusty.

Okay, I'm tired of blogging. More to come later on.

Bye.