Travel
Writings about Khovd, Mongolia 2012-13
Frequently Asked Questions from Khovd 2012-13
Q: Where will you live? We live in Apartment Building 30. That is the only address necessary for Khovd officials. We have our mail sent to the University because it isn't clear if mail is delivered to households here.
Q: Will you live in a ger (the Mongolian word for yurt, round tent-like building)? No. We won't be living in a ger but a lot of our students and their families do.
Q: How will you get around? Our feet!
Q: What is the food like? We like the food. At the open market which I will describe at some point, there was, until November 1, outdoor vendors of produce. They have moved inside to a large open room. They are selling root vegetables mostly, carrots, turnips, potatoes, garlic, onions, and cabbage. There are still tomatoes for sale and until last week, watermelon. In another area of the market, one can find meat, dairy products, imported fruits, and other products (rice, flour, noodles, etc.)
When we eat out, we have found different stirfries of meat, peppers, potatoes, and eggs or some combination of the above. We also have enjoyed cabbage and carrot salads and stews of mutton and beef with vegetables. Pork is not served and chicken is not common. In the area north of us, Bayan Ulgii, horses are commonly eaten.
Q: What will you miss the most? I would have to say coffee. They have coffee. It is just instant and it is served with milk and sugar.
Q: What jobs will you do there? I teach English to sophomores and juniors in the Russian-English Department of Khovd University. Woody teaches English to freshmen and juniors in the Chinese-English Department.
Q: What is the currency? Tugriks. These run for about 1330-1395/USD so we have lots of bills. There are no coins. The smallest denomination seems to be 10 Tugricks which is something less than a penny.
Q: What language is spoken? Mongolian.
Q: Since it was recommended that you avoid doctors and hospitals while in Mongolia, how are you prepared for that?
We had a series of shots and updated vaccinations (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), Diptheria-Pertussin/Tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis A&B, Polio, and Typhoid. We have with us antibiotics and anti-diaherreals, re-hydrating packets, aspirin, a first aid kit, Tums, anti-acids, eye drops, bug spray, and sunscreen. We were warned to stay away from animals due to rabies risks. We have not been vaccinated against rabies although it has been suggested that we do that.
Q: What will you take with you?
That is a complicated question. We decided to bring a few extras (besides clothing) because it isn't clear if we can get certain things in Khovd. And even if things are available, how expensive are they? Due to our electronic needs, personal and teaching, we have computer-related, camera-related, and audio-related devices (hard drives, speakers, batteries, a Kindle, USB cords, USB drives, a wireless device, electricity converters.)
Because of our interest in the outdoors, we have camping gear, binoculars, fishing gear, and backpacks. Plus, we need to dress warmly, so we have some clothing for this (hats, gloves, scarves, long underwear, coats, and boots.)
We had four bags to check and 4 carry-ons.
Q: How long does it take to get there?
We left from Pittsburgh on Monday 9/24, flew above Alaska and down the coast of Russia to Seoul, South Korea. After a three hour layover in Seoul, we arrived in UB at 10:30 PM on 9/25. We crossed the dateline in the Pacific Ocean. Total travel time: 20 hours.
Q: When will you leave?
We have left! We arrived in Ulaan Baatar, the capital city of Mongolia on 9/25/2012. We arrived in Khovd on 9/30.
Travel Links
Look on Google Maps for our location.
For Woody's notes and lots of photos, see Woodypackard.com