Most Mongolians living in the wilderness away from towns and cities lead a life of sheep herding, herding yaks and cows, and also keeping camels. Most people live in white tents and gers. They have solar panels provided by the government to heat water and cook food. Cow dung and wood are used to make fire and heat water and cook food. There are no schools in the area, so children join the tradition of their fathers and herd sheep.
I would occasionally get out of my Jeep to walk among the sheep herders and give them water. Many places in the desert have small water channels where camels and sheep drink water from. I managed to wander close to such a place and gave the thirsty sheep some cool water.
It is a remote place, but I felt so close to nature. I could see ancient old bridges and rivers flowing through the dusty land. The sheep would wander around the road and the watering hole. Occasionally, a few of them would get involved in fights, locking horns and head-bashing. I guess that’s how sheep fight and release some heat.
I could see a red truck with the trademark of Coca-Cola. Even in a far-flung place like this, there was Coca-Cola. It was amazing to see the large red truck pass through the desert road, with dust and sand flying high up in the air as it cut through the flat, dusty desert land. The sun shines bright and sets late in this place. The area is full of stones and rocks and gets cold at night.
Wells, river water, and waterfalls are the sources of water in this nomadic, far-flung land. But I will never forget the sheep and the herders of Mongolia.
