Mongolian stories
THE
LAST GREAT PLACE - That's
what admirers call Mongolia, a land of blue skies and endless space, with
few fences, rules or comforts. But for those looking for adventure, it may well
be the last great place.
MONGOLIAN
BUSINESS BOOM - After decades of
decline a small post-Soviet boom is sweeping the steppes, thanks to a commitment
to democracy, plus plenty of help from Uncle Sam. Proof that engagement
often pays better dividends than intervention.
MONGOLIA'S
MANLY SPORTS - Clubs
and internet cafes have come to the capital, but Mongolia still revels in Naadam,
the world's second-oldest Olympics, which, eight centuries ago, was the
definition of civilization: horse racing, archery and
wrestling.
FREEDOM - After seven decades of Soviet control, Mongolia underwent its
own revolution in the early 1990s. Independence became the greatest buzz to hit
these remote steppes since Genghis Kahn swept across with his hordes and created
the world's greatest empire. Now you, too can tour this
magic land.
THREE MANLY SPORTS - The best time to visit is in July, when the entire country erupts in the annual celebration of Naadam, instituted by the Great Kahn, as the world's second oldest-Olympics.
RELIGION - Independence not only released Mongolia from the strained grasp
of old-style Moscow politik-think, it has also given the nomadic people the
freedom to seek guidance from the long-outlawed past. In particular, Mongolians
have joyfully reverted to the beloved spiritual teachings of
Buddhism.
TAKING STOCK - But these wily nomads are having a bit more trouble grasping the nuances of such things as the Stock Exchange,or even the very basics of business.
HORSE
SENSE - But there is great news on the range, namely that the world's first
horse pictured on pre-historic cave walls and nearly extinct, is once again
running free on the Mongolian steppes.
* all pictures, unless otherwise credited, by Ron Gluckman