[RC] Why we are not having Swanton Pacific this year - Barbara McCrary
Awhile ago, I posted a message on Ridecamp to the effect that we are not
having Swanton Pacific this year. At the time, I was asked by our tour
leader not to disclose our destination, so that his previous travelers could
have first chance at this trip. Now he tells me that this trip is half
filled and I may disclose where we are going. He also invites anyone who
is adventuresome and not afraid of simpler accommodations than are usually
provided on tours to join us.
We are going first to Beijing, China to spend a few days touring around,
including a trip to the Great Wall. We had been there before, in 2000, but
this year there is a greater reason for going again. We are to learn how
the Chinese felt about the Mongols who invaded China, and how they built the
Great Wall as the reason for trying to keep them out of their homeland.
THEN...we are going to Mongolia to see the country, to meet the people, to learn
why and how they attempted to invade and control most of Asia, Russia,
etc. Coming along are an earth sciences professor (geology specialist) and
a professor of medieval Russian history. This is going to be
interesting!
Lud and I are very keen on history and these trips are fabulous for
teaching history on site. My Russian-born father told me he believed there
was a good possibility that he (and therefore I) had Mongolian ancestors.
Interesting thought....
We will spend some time there, and we have the opportunity to ride
Mongolian horses, do some boating on a large lake, fish, hike, or
whatever. No doubt we will have Mongolian food, as well. We had a
sample of Mongolian stir-fry in China and I learned a bit too late that it is
delicious. I was timid about trying it, so I didn't take enough. You
select all the chopped food you want in the dish...meat, vegetables,etc....and
the cook throws it all on a very large, thick, hot round iron plate, about
three feet across, as I remember. He tosses it around on the plate as it
cooks. Then, with a huge flourish, he tosses it off the iron into your
bowl. To be served with rice. It was soooooo good. I'm hoping
for more, and this time, I'll take a bigger serving. Heaven only knows
what else Mongols like to eat, but I'm prepared to be adventuresome.
So, now you all know why we aren't having Swanton Pacific this year.
See you in 2008!
