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Монголия была сложным испытанием для меня, и пока я находился там, я ненавидел её. Всё было проблемой. Еда, вода, дорога, люди. Странная штука в путешествии: как только ты покидаешь страну или город, ты начинаешь ценить ситуации, в которых ты оказался именно там. Монголия, явно, не одна из моих любимых стран, которые я посетил, но это, безусловно, уникальная страна, которую я буду помнить. И я ни капли не жалею, что побывал там.
Пока я эту пишу, я чистый, сытый, мне тепло и комфортно. Китай- это полная противоположность тому, что я испытал за последний месяц. Я починил « Стеллу », однако я решил перезимовать здесь. Найти работу и продолжить своё путешествие весной. Центральная Азия ждёт.
I packed my things the following morning and set off. Lots of the snow had melted now, which meant I had a lovely downhill, asphalt ride. Great! I was enjoying the ride again, and by lunch had done over 40kms! About 10 kms later I started hearing a strange noise coming from Stella. I got off and inspected. As soon as I looked at her rear wheel I knew my ride in Mongolia was over. The rim had broke, forcing the tube to protrude out from the tire. I felt nothing. Just stood there in disbelief. I couldn’ t fix it so had little choice but to wait for a passing car to hope they would be able to take me. So far that day only two cars had passed me. So, I knew it might take a while! 3 hours later of waiting and finally a car passed. They were going to the next town about 40kms away. I got in and it was dark by the time we arrived. The family of three I think felt a little uncomfortable having to housesit a strange foreigner, so they offloaded me too another family. They were very kind and interested in talking and I enjoyed my evening with them.
The next day was all about waiting. It took 4 hours before a car stopped that was heading to the Chinese border town. I was in luck with the lift that eventually did arrive as they were a group working for the Cultural and Tourism industry. One of them spoke English, so we were able to communicate. It was dark by the time we arrived in Bulgan. I was tired, and to be honest sick of Mongolia. I just wanted to leave. The border was closed on the weekend however, so I had to stick around another two nights. Walking Stella to the Petrol station early on the Monday morning I managed to get a lift with a truck driver heading to China. After unloading and walking into immigration I was at last stamped out of Mongolia. It was the 17th. The last day of my visa. I made it out just in time. Mongolia was hard work, and while I was there I hated it. Everything was a struggle. Food, water, the road, the people. The strange thing about travelling is, as soon as you leave you find an appreciation for the situation you were just in, and the bad memories suddenly become fond. Mongolia is certainly not at the top of the list of my favorite countries I have visited, but it certainly unique and one I will remember. And I certainly don’ t regret going.
As I write this I am clean, have a full stomach and am comfortably warm. China is of vast comparison to the last month of travel. I have fixed Stella’ s wheel, however I have decided to stay here for the winter. Find some work and set off again in spring. The Pamir highway of Central Asia awaits ….
“ Sam has been travelling consistently for the past 10 years. He has travelled extensively trough the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and West Africa and has called Nepal, China and Ghana home for various periods of time. This is his first cycle trip, and possibly last big trip in general. After he returns to the UK by bike he plans to travel to India to start his study of Yoga.‘ If you don’ t know where you’ re going, anyroad will take you there’ www. anyroad. net”