Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar

Okay first imagine the hot, dry air and mountainous high desert of Palm Springs. Then, remove all golf courses, grass and nice hotels. Then, add factories, communist's blocks, a big Buddha statue, and something that looks like the Eiffel tour. Then, add thousands of temporary housing tents surrounding the city limits. Welcome to Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia.

Here are a few facts about Mongolia:
-One of the largest land-locked countries in the world
-One of the most scarcely populated countries in the world with a population of 3 million
-Over 1.2 million people live in the capital of Ulaanbaatar but 60% of them live in temporary housing (like big tent) that can be moved.

We arrived in the morning and scrolled around town, stopping off at the main square and history museum. Then, in the afternoon it was up to the big soviet monument on the top of hill for an excellent view of the city and to hear a little throat singing.

Mongolia is also one of the cheapest countries we have been in thus far. I could get a coke for 16 cents and an hour of Internet for 30 cents. It's like India without all the social issues. For some reason the city as a HUGE expat community and you can eat well in town from Mongolian BBQ to French pastries. Oh and don't forget the plethora of Irish Pubs.