{"id":6161,"date":"2016-03-05T19:01:47","date_gmt":"2016-03-05T17:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelstoriesfromyworld.com\/?p=6161"},"modified":"2017-03-20T13:37:38","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T10:37:38","slug":"trans-mongolian-next-stop-mongolia-eng-version","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tstories.gr\/en\/trans-mongolian-next-stop-mongolia-eng-version\/","title":{"rendered":"Trans-Mongolian: Next stop Mongolia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here I am again, hopping aboard a train again. Same train philosophy, different name and destination: Mongolia is my next stop thus hereafter, I’m traveling with the Trans-Mongolian, not the Trans-Siberian!<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot_1\"<\/p>\n

The Trans-Mongolian offers a whole different experience compared to the Trans-Siberian; a much newer and consequently, cleaner and modern train, I definitely wish I could spend more time on than just 24 hours. In my cabin this time, I meet a Mongolian guy that seems quite disturbed by my presence. He nearly spoke to me during the rest of the trip!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9tstories-mongolia2\"<\/p>\n

So, I received my pair of fresh-laundry pack of sheets from the Mongolian wagon master and I make myself comfortable. It’s an interesting route and without even noticing, we’re at the borders again.<\/p>\n

\"tstories-mongolia3\"<\/p>\n

Isn’t it weird that we have to stop for almost three hours at the borders? I think to myself while checking the departures list. Four minutes later, the presence of the Russian army answers to my silent question.<\/p>\n

\"tstories-mongolia1\"<\/p>\n

The Wagon Master yells something at me – to close the curtains and get up from my bed – and as we can’t quite understand each other, my Mongolian co-traveler decides to utter his first few words to me, declaring that this is a passport and wagon check.<\/p>\n

The train fills with soldiers coming and going, looking for someone, checking, taking notes. \u0391fter they’ve checked every inch of the train – it’s been three hours doing that – we’re ready to finally depart and leave Russia behind.<\/p>\n

Next stop…Mongolia! In less than 24 hours we changed country, this time heading to Mongolian territory. It’s time for the Mongolian army to conduct an investigation on the train.<\/p>\n

\"tstories-mongolia5\"<\/p>\n

After a couple of hours, we’re on the road again and I’m ready for all the wonderful images coming my way. The Mongolian landscape differs from the typical Siberian: the traditional wooden houses are replaced by the vast green fields which are succeeded by dry brown land – the vast Mongolian steppe, I think to myself and smile.<\/p>\n

Just before we reached Ulaan-Bataar, I got to see the traditional Mongolian round tents – the ger or yurts as they’re called.<\/p>\n

\"tstories-mongolia\"<\/p>\n

\u0391s the train arrived at the station, I rushed outside to meet Exhi, – to be honest, I don’t know how to spell her name correctly – the Mongolian girl who would be my guide around town for the next few days. Before we did anything, she made sure I visited a currency exchange kiosk. Note that, Mongolia is one of the few countries around the world that you can’t find it’s currency beyond borders. That was the first thing that impressed me and of course, I wrote it down for future reference. The second impressive thing about Mongolia was its actual currency: there are actually no coins to use, just banknotes! Just plain paper!<\/p>\n\n\t\t