Walking Hazards

Mongolia is really a great country. The more we learn about its culture and history the more we are interested in it. One unique aspect of living in Mongolia is walking. I have shared in previous posts that we have been walking a lot. That in and of itself does not seem like a big deal, but you have probably never walked in Mongolia if you are thinking that way. It takes a lot of skill and focus to move from place to place. First, due to the unusual amount of rain this summer, there are often large puddles. Some, I thought, rivaled Loch Ness in size. Well, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but they are often very large nonetheless. Second, many man holes around the city are left uncovered. It is very important to watch out for these unless one would like to explore the underground passages of UB. Third, no sidewalk is completely even. Many have been the times that I have already tripped. I find myself walking with my eyes on my feet. These things only make life a little more interesting. It may be challenging sometimes, but we have learned to take one step at a time, both while walking and while adjusting to the culture. We know that we are not going to adjust overnight or that we are going to learn Mongolian in a week. We may be adults, but in many ways we are becoming like children again. It will take us time to learn, but with work and perseverance we will complete our journey.