3 - 9. THE PRESIDENT'S CHAIR

The day started drinking milk-tea in a poor family's ger (Mongolian felt-tent). On the road we were overtaken by ten black speeding Land Cruisers with flashing lights. "The president" said Mugdi, our driver. At a gas-station we met the US ambassador to Mongolia. At midday we were chased away from the main square of Choir, a windy western town at the edge of the desert because important people celebrated work on the road to China. The tarmac ended and we hit the dirt-road. The track was marked with blue flags leading us to a beautiful ger. Workers were disasembling the tent but quickly got os seated in the president's chair and the table was put up again. Full of laughter they served us the leftovers of the president's bread and Mongolian cheese, while we took turns sitting in the chair.

Nina

Nina.