After 2 and a half days in UB, we feel we've covered everything that
the main sights have to offer. I'm still unsure how I feel about the
place.
After our arrival, we got showered and set out for a restaurant for
something to eat. At the junction of Peace Ave (ironic considering
what happened) and another main road, by the state department store,
someone tried to steal/open Laura's bag. Luckily she had a security
bag. The bag has a re-inforced steel strap, as well as interlockable
zips and steel clasps to attach the strap to the bag. They tried the
clasps with what I presume were plyers without Laura noticing - it
was only when they tried the zips she noticed, her bag open but
thankfully nothing missing. I was slightly in front of Laura, and
heard her gasp and turned around. I saw a tall, thin man who looked
like a sheep in headlights, I looked back at a clearly distressed
Laura with her bag open, and asked "Did he try your bag?" to which she
replied with "Yes". I was shocked but by the time I had clicked it and
looked back he was gone. It was a close shave, nothing missing, just
worn away paint on the clasps with very vague dents, not damaging the
bag at all - but it left us both shaken - we hardly ate anything and
Laura was very shaken up. This was within 5 minutes of us leaving the
guesthouse after showering - a great first impression!
I've unfortunately been very paranoid since, and this is completely
unlike me. I even got Laura to ring the Credit Card company this
evening because of a shifty looking guy who jumped the queue to go
after us at the cash machine. Nothing had been taken out. Bad times,
immense paranoia and a twisted view of the city I'm sure. But
definitely not Mongolia as a whole, I have to not let it mar my
experience in the country, some of the best days of my life. Nothing
has gone wrong, but I feel like something is about to.
Luckily for Laura, she later that evening received some good news
regarding her degree and got her 2:1 which cheered her up to no end
after how shaken she was. We went to bed reasonably early, after not
eating much (the meal was luckily on £12 for both of us including
drinks).
In the morning we got up, but I had a very bad headache so I went back
to bed after we'd dropped the laundry off with Golden Gobi and had
something to eat. We got dressed and went out for about half 11 in the
end, taking out with us just cash, no wallet or anything. My camera
now on my belt rather than on a strap like a postal bag. All we saw
after eating (for £10 with drinks) we headed for Sukhbaatar square had
a look around and then went to the State Dept store to look around
which was very nice. My view of UB had improved slightly, although I
was still evidently a bit too paranoid taking such little stuff out
with me. We went to supermarket on the ground floor of the dept store
after looking around to get something for tea - salami sandwiches, a
big favourite for both of us it seems on this trip.
We went to bed early, I had hopes of watching the world cup semi final
between Spain and Germany at 2:30am, but turned my alarm off at about
1 because I was too tired. That said, I was woken at about 3am by
someone coming in the door of the guesthouse, so watched the second
half. I went to bed after and got up at half 9, not feeling too tired.
Result.
Today we set off on doing something a little more touristy, instead of
lying about all day and only seeing a little bit. Today I actually
took my wallet out, as well as my bag, although all we had in it was a
bottle of water and my guide book. But it was progress, UB wasn't that
bad, surely? In the morning we headed for the Gandan monestary which
had the biggest statue of a Bhuddist deity I've ever seen. Incredible.
It was a very nice morning. We headed for the centre of the city for
lunch, where we could post our postcards (which we did without any
problem). However, before we did, we took the cash out which worried
me as above stated. We said we'd sort it out later, ringing the
company on skype. It turns out there was absolutely nothing wrong,
which made me feel stupid again. Very unlike me to be so paranoid. I
will probably be OK after we leave. We also went for lunch in the
centre, where we actually ate and had a pepsi each for £5 - I'm not
even kidding. It was a really nice meal too - I had mutton with chips
and rice (strange combo) but a load of roasted vegtables on top and it
was absolutely delicious! One thing I don't mind about UB are the
prices!!
In the afternoon we headed to Bogd Kahn Palace and Museum which was on
the other side of UB. It was absolutely beuatiful and so worth the
walk to see it. I just can't believe such a hidden gem exists in such
a soviet style city. Unfortunately as we were there it absolutely
chucked it down. And it did so, all the way back to the hostel. We
were like drowned cats by the time we got back, but at least the rain
helped Laura's asthma, as it's very dusty here.
Tonight we went back to the state dept store, bought some food for the
train and something for tea, as well as visiting the souvenir shop on
floor 5. It was a good evening. Our train is at 7:10am tomorrow.
Golden gobi are giving us a free lift to the station - at 5:50am when
they meet people off the 6:10am train from Irkutsk! Haha, that should
be fun!
So UB wasn't all that bad after all, but we did learn some lessons and
we won't forget them - without letting them get in the way fun and
joys of the rest of our trip. Roll on China, but dreading the early
start!
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