Secret History of the Mongols The Secret History of the Mongols is the definitive chronicle of the life of Chinggis Khan and the rise of the Mongol Empire. Many of the sites you will visit are mentioned in the Secret History, and the markers above indicate where in the Secret History to find more information. The Secret History is arranged much like the Bible, and passages can be found by the paragraph numbers. Copies of the Secret History can be purchased at Amazon.com and other online retailers. The ACMS also has a translated version that patrons can access from the library. Jack Weatherford's 2005 bestselling book "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World" is also another good source of information about the Secret History. Professor Weatherford uses the Secret History along with numerous other historical sources to construct a very readable and enjoyable narrative about the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire. Traveling in the Countryside We recommend that you bring a smaller duffel bag with enough room for one or two changes of clothing and toiletries to take with you during the excursion to Khentii Province. The rest of your luggage should be left behind in the Flower Hotel storage room. It is acceptable and recommended that you wear the same outfit throughout the trip, but it is a good idea to bring a change of clothing just in case. The road will be long, bumpy, and dusty, and you’re going to be thoroughly dirty by the time you return to Ulaanbaatar regardless of whether you change your clothes or bathe each night at the ger camps. We recommend that you embrace your inner child and enjoy an opportunity to be filthy for a couple of days. Take only clothes you are prepared to have stained, ripped, or ruined, but also be sure that you do not wear already ragged clothing. Bottom line: Try to travel light and expect to be dirty most of the time. It is going to be cold at night, so bring a light jacket. It snowed on May 9th in Ulaanbaatar, and it is not unusual for it to snow in June either. The ger camps will provide you with bedding, so there will be no need to bring sleeping bags or extra blankets. A long sleeve shirt and light jacket should provide enough protection against any cold weather the group might encounter. You will want to bring a flashlight, extra toilet paper, some snacks, and anything else you cannot go 4 days without. The camps will have toilet facilities and showers, but the accommodations will be rustic much like a campground in the US. If you are a particularly thirsty individual, you may consider bringing a small water filter with you. However, bottled water is readily available, and there should be numerous opportunities to purchase bottled water along the road. You may also consider bringing items as gifts for the families you will meet along the way. If you plan to do this, the best idea is to bring something unique to your university or where you live. It is always best to air on the side of practicality, so things like shot glasses, pencils/pens, notebooks, small picture books, stickers, candy, and food items are good choices. You are not required to give gifts, and each family will receive an honorarium from the program for hosting the group. However, if you are compelled, then the gesture will be appreciated. Finally, prepare yourself for a couple of days of bumpy travel. Much of the road in Khentii Province will be jeep trail. There will not be rest stops along the way in the style of roadside gas stations in the US. Prepare yourself for the possibility of having to use the great outdoors or pit toilets as your toilet facilities between the camps. You may want to do some squatting exercises leading up to the trip to strengthen your knees. Travel into the countryside can be tough, but it is also satisfying. Keep an open mind, remain flexible, and enjoy the amazing beauty of Mongolia, and you will not even notice the dust in your ears and nostrils. |
Монголоор 