Ulanbatoor

What a contrast!!
When we started our 6000k train journey from Moscow for the first two days all we could see out of the carriage window was trees - when we awoke this morning in Northern Mongolia all we could see was grass plains and mountains.. over the past few days the view has changed drastically.  Now there are no trees at all.

Am now in Ulanbatoor in Mongolia.
The town centre is dominated by Sukhbatoor Square and the very impressive parliament building, the giant mayor's office and the Blue Sky wind-sail-shape skyscraper (that is empty apparently).  They all look magnificent.
This morning we visited two traditional homes in the yellow-rocks ger district no more than half a mile from the town centre.  They had no running water (a communal well only) no sewage (just toilet pits) yet the folks were so friendly and so proud of their Mongolia and their Ghengis Khan heritage.

We all went gift shopping in the National Department Store and then I walked back alone through the centre to the San Hotel alone.  No probs.  Dodgy people and pickpockets everywhere we are warned.  And crossing the street is easy, just go!! jaywalk amongst the dust, the noise and the manic traffic.  No probs.

We are sleeping overnight tomorrow in a ger tent.and going to a culture show.. and then back (erk!) onto the train to Beijing.
Would love Heinz baked beans on toast with brown sauce!!!  or pork pie, pickle and chips!! Mmmmmmmmm