With a small population, a new Chinese run Zinc mine, and some famous livestock breeds, Sukhbaatar Aimag (province) appeared relatively prosperous. On the road, we saw truckloads of recently purchased wild horses bound for other Aimags, as Sukhbaatar is home to the fastest horses of Mongolia. In addition, the Aimag is known for its red cashmere and fat tailed sheep, which are heavier than the normal Mongolian sheep.
Currently, I am reading a book that details “The New Great Game”, which is the scramble for Central Asian oil resources and the subsequent construction of strategic pipelines. Perhaps this book has caused me to imagine a similar tactical competition occurring in Mongolia. After our arrival to the provincial capital, we saw the Governor walking down the street with several Chinese businessmen. The red faces of the Chinese hinted toward indulgence into vodka. The next morning we were scheduled to meet the Governor, but the arrival of the Russian Ambassador and his fleet of Land Cruisers usurped our meeting.
The evaluation allowed us to visit several herders and conduct case studies of their small businesses. These intimate visits reminded me of the generous hospitality of Mongolians, which can sometimes be too warm for comfort. On the last day, we visited a client who purchases cattle each spring and then finishes them on grain, before their sale to UB meat wholesalers. His family’s summer ger is located near a beautiful bend of the Kherleen River, which allowed us a refreshing dip in the evening and again before the long jeep ride back to the city. Attached pictures include the river, the broad steppe, horse roping, and the new 150-foot statue of Chingis located in the middle of nowhere.
Currently, I am reading a book that details “The New Great Game”, which is the scramble for Central Asian oil resources and the subsequent construction of strategic pipelines. Perhaps this book has caused me to imagine a similar tactical competition occurring in Mongolia. After our arrival to the provincial capital, we saw the Governor walking down the street with several Chinese businessmen. The red faces of the Chinese hinted toward indulgence into vodka. The next morning we were scheduled to meet the Governor, but the arrival of the Russian Ambassador and his fleet of Land Cruisers usurped our meeting.
The evaluation allowed us to visit several herders and conduct case studies of their small businesses. These intimate visits reminded me of the generous hospitality of Mongolians, which can sometimes be too warm for comfort. On the last day, we visited a client who purchases cattle each spring and then finishes them on grain, before their sale to UB meat wholesalers. His family’s summer ger is located near a beautiful bend of the Kherleen River, which allowed us a refreshing dip in the evening and again before the long jeep ride back to the city. Attached pictures include the river, the broad steppe, horse roping, and the new 150-foot statue of Chingis located in the middle of nowhere.
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