OK – a month and a half of trying to figure this out leads me to believe that I have all the knowledge I am going to have until I actually start messing around in here.

So…taking the leap and risking embarrassment, humiliation, and blog fail. Launching today, because if not now, when?

Now, topic for the first entry (outside of a desperate attempt to fend off criticism of my lame blogging skills) – how about something simple. Like, the answer to the most common question we get: what has been your favorite place?

This is a fairly impossible question to answer. Each destination has its good and bad, and each is special in its own way. It is like asking a parent which is their favorite child (very few people will actually admit to having a favorite, although many do…and some don’t try very hard to hide it LOL). Throwing a dart at the wall – I will focus on Mongolia for this exercise.

Why was Mongolia a favorite? Because for me, it was by far the most different and unique place I have ever been. The nomadic culture is absolutely fascinating. Anyone who has known me for more than 10 minutes knows that sleeping in a Ger (what we call a yurt in the US) for 10 nights was a stretch goal I never thought I would accomplish. Gary, who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and several Caminos was all for it. Turned out just fine. I survived the freezing cold pitch black middle of the night trips to the potty, and lived to tell about it.

The food….well, that was….interesting. Camel milk, fermented horse milk, mutton, goat, horse – nothing high on my list. But, there was also lots of rice and noodles, so did not starve.

Another way out of my comfort zone experiences – riding a camel. Actually was a nice was to see the sand dunes. And not any more uncomfortable than riding in a van across the Gobi Desert!! There are no roads, so it is a wing and a prayer and tremendous faith in your driver that you are actually heading to a destination.

All that said – if you are up for an adventure (a true adventure, NOT a vacation) I would HIGHLY recommend Mongolia as a destination.

Since this is entry number one, will take a pause. Can always re-visit the joys of Mongolia in another post. Fingers crossed this works!!