The experience of exotic Mongolia

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Ulaan Baatar

When I was about to leave Jakarta for Mongolia, almost everybody in my office told me I was very lucky to have such an opportunity.

At least four colleagues described the country as "exotic", which prompted me look up the meaning of the word in the dictionary. The word was listed as meaning "strange", "extraordinary" and "special".

Having traveled to the country, which is situated between giant countries China and Russia, I can attest that the description of the country as exotic was 100 percent correct.

During the one week that I was there, I visited Ulaan Baatar and a few countryside areas. The landscape is really distinct compared to many other countries that I have visited.

Situated on a high mountainous plateau some 1,580 meters above sea level, the country mainly consists of steppes and desert. The large steppes provide abundant food for the country's livestock, which numbers 29.3 million, including 2.8 million horses. Cattle breeding is the main source of income for Mongolians, particularly in the countryside.

Most of Mongolia's tourist destinations remain unspoiled, possibly because few tourists visit the country, which is well known for Genghis Khan, who conquered most of the Asian continent and Eastern Europe in the 13th century.

Many think that Mongolia is a backward nation, a perception that is grossly wrong.

Many luxury cars can be found on Ulan Baaatar's streets, while internet cafes can be found in almost every corner of the city. Cell phones are ubiquitous, though not many of them are camera phones. Hotels meet international standards, although admittedly not many electronics or electric devices in hotels work properly.

Foreigners might be curious how the country was able to produce a mighty army of warriors and the large-than-life Genghis Khan. A visit to the country provides some answers to the question.

Mongolia has harsh weather and environment. This, in the past, made Mongolians very tough and gave birth to warriors who could weather the tough environment and the long winters while invading countries as far as Eastern Europe.

As they were mostly hunters, most young Mongolians were trained as horsemen and archers, skills that were also useful in war.

"Horsemanship has been passed down from generation to generation. Even today, almost every male Mongolian can ride a horse," said Gongor Gunjidmaa, the head of research at the Press Institute of Mongolia.

Mongolians are proud that the nation was once ruled by Genghis Khan. Pictures of Genghis Khan can be found almost everywhere across the country. Cinemas, beer nightclubs and even hotels are named after the great man. Mongolians all share a dream that someday the country will revive the glory of the Genghis Khan era.

The hospitality of Mongolians also makes visiting the country worthwhile. The people are quite curious about visitors and are eager to hear stories about other cultures. They are also very enthusiastic to explain anything about their culture and their country.