We reached Baganuur last night and stopped there for the night. We got rooms that were quite nice compared to our previous example.
Got up in the morning and had two breakfasts: one at the hotel, the other at the jeep driver's apartment. That is, the other jeep driver who accompanied us on the way back.
It started out rainy, but by the time we got to Ulaanbaatar it was sunny. We drove to my hotel, but the general manager was gone. The doorman gave me keys to my room, but I think two people might already be using this room. I'll certainly find out by tomorrow, at least.
Altansukh asked when I was leaving Mongolia, and then said that he would get me stirrups before my departure.
Tomorrow, I will visit Bayaraa to finish this Hentii excursion and to thank him. It was very enjoyable and full of memories.
I really enjoyed Battoya's company. She is very young and wants to know what it's like out there. She has eight brothers, and is the second to the youngest, so she's pretty independent. We talked a lot about many things: from Michael Jackson to TOEFL exams to gays to death. She wanted to know what women were like in the States. I ended up talking about Tracy a lot since I've always admired her as a woman (and because I know she'll be reading this). Battoya said she wanted to meet Tracy and that I should be glad to be with her. Maybe someday the two will meet...
Altansukh wants to go to see the States. He's kind of a modern merchant, taking the Trans-Siberian to Beijing and then back to Mongolia, selling what he bought in China. First, he will learn English, then go to the States and maybe get a job as a taxi driver (he's a driver right now with his own jeep, and a good mechanic, too). When he was younger Altansukh was studying to be a dancer/choreographer, but he broke his leg and had to stop. Eventually, he got a degree in Agricultural engineering. He says he likes to be free, so his lifestyle suits him fine. Though Altansukh appears to be in his 40's, he has the manners and energy of a younger man.
I met BeeBee! Now I was moved to room 306 which is a single room (yes!), but has no sink (bummer). Tomorrow I get my pail and do the wash. BeeBee might come by later to drink a beer.
Oh, the manager just told me that she'll be moving me back downstairs tomorrow.