My Family took my sister's and I to see some of Inner Mongolia. They told us of the grasslands that went as far as the eye could see, but this area was too far for us to travel to in one day. It would take at least 5 hours to reach, so an overnight stay would be the best way to see the farther reaches of Inner Mongolia. We went instead to an area that was much closer to Chifeng, and only took two hours to reach. The area would give us a feel for what lay beyond.
The trip took us through rolling hills and farmland for farmers and grazing animals.
Dotted all along the hillside, were these kilns. They fire clay tiles for building roofs and shingles for the single family houses in the area. My Aunt, who hasn't been to Chifeng for two years, said that many of the mud huts she saw outside the train window were now replaced with new brick houses, using these clay tiles.
After a two hour bumpy car ride, we reached our destination. It was an area set up for tourists visiting the area, but I can't imagine it being found in "Foder's!
In the middle of grassland, there was a small lake in which we took a boat ride. The surrounding mountain had collected blowing sand forming sand dunes at its base.
Any Chinese activity with my relatives was not without a multi-course meal. This was arranged with the local restaurant that served an authentic Mongolian meal.
Prerequisites with the meal were drinks for toasting. One of them was this "Milk Wine." From the best of my translation, it is actually made from fermented sheep milk. It obviously was distilled down to a clear liquid, but was only about 40 proof.
Soon the table was filled with dishes all made from sheep. There was cakes of meet pressed from sheep meat, blood sausages made from sheep...
...and even the sheep itself made an appearance! Mongolians cook it two ways, roasted and boiled. My cousins chose to have it boiled because they felt it would fit our tastes better. I'll have to come back next time to try it roasted!
I tried the tongue, and the brains, but couldn't do the eye. Luckily, none of my relatives tried it either, so I didn't feel obligated!
There was also music!
The Mongolian people were beautiful! I can see where some of my ancestors got their high cheek bones!
The "yurts" showed how these nomadic people used to live. These houses had a inner lattice-like construction, covered in blankets. Taking these apart for travel could be done in minutes.
I don't think this one is moving anyone soon considering this one has air conditioning!