jj wrote this a little while after arriving in UB, for the fine folks he is friends with on facebook. the roads have gotten even crazier since the start of school in september.

So what’s Mongolia like? I have received a few emails asking that question. First off, I live in a city. Not just any city but the countries largest at 1.1million, which is almost half of the nations population! Here in UB, we have lots of traffic. Lots. Driving here is crazy. If you thought it was bad in Mexico City, its nothing to UB. Specifically, the drivers here obey no laws. I have seen traffic cops on hoods of cars. Drivers are programmed to never stop. Today for example a car was pulling out of a lot behind me and ran right into me, expecting me to move. Instead I used my hand on the hood to keep myself upright. Despite all this craziness, I (and other expats) almost never see wrecks of cars or humans! And despite all the horn honking, this anarchy is not road rage. Rather its a city and it citizens dealing with the exponential growth of a city not equipped for so many cars. Most unfortunately bicycles are never seen. At least there are lots of carpools happening. Anyone with a car becomes a defacto taxi.

Due to the busyness of traffic I have to run early in the morning. Its ideal anyhow as the pollution from cars is at a minimum. I often see other foreigners running early. The bright sun and cool temps add to the peace of running through the various neighborhoods of the “Red Hero”

anyone who tells you (ahem…lonely planet guidebooks) that eating vegetarian is difficult in UB is mistaken.

there is certainly a lot of meat to be had, and the countryside is another story, but the city has at least a dozen specifically vegetarian/vegan restaurants. excellent choices for mongolian and international cuisine.

yes, that’s an ikea billboard. in mongolia.

as seen from peace bridge.

(and the store exists!)

shaky bridge up to the monastery, terelj national park.

UB by night.

the global peace festival drew a large crowd to sukhbaatar square for speeches, entertainment, bicycling in the dark, and glow sticks.

august 26, 2011

fire trucks await washing.

one of my sisters and my new brother-in-law both work for fire departments in the u.s., so i was excited to get some pictures for them.

september 2, 2011

skateboarders rest on the backside of the beatles monument, located between the state department store and the state circus.

according to an article in the UB post about its construction, it was promoted by mongolian prime minister s. bayar as “a symbol of a period of time when many mongolians aspired to have the freedom of the west.”

the key to being a pedestrian in UB: jump into the street, and be quick about it.

loving hut is taking over UB!

the menu was about the same as veg magic’s (miso soup soothed the throat and khuushuur satisfied the stomach), with just one charismatic leader added to the atmosphere. we happened to be there on opening day. the new owners took our picture.