Visiting a Horseman and a Surprise in the Woods

My driver was excited to show me something this morning. So after a cold shower and some kind of breakfast we got in the car to head out. It was only a short drive through the Siberian forest before I saw this in the distance and thought "Oh Wow".



Neither my guide or my driver knew anything about it, but that didn't matter as I began to explore the outside, letting the site tell me what it was all about.





There were a number of what I would call costumes I guess. Not so much to wear but they appeared to be placed in a way to protect this place. Almost like a scarecrow.



On each end appeared to be a circle of six structures, each with their own animal. I'm guessing these two together represented the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac.







My driver and guide had no interest in entering the space but it was something that I had to explore. So I asked permission from the spirits and then called in my spirit guides to protect me as I entered. It looked like there were a number of different areas where each shaman would work.



There was a heavy feeling as I walked around the inside.





I came to the conclusion that this must be a classroom of sorts. Where a head shaman would hold space so that her students could work safely with dark energies.





This was an amazing experience to see and feel. I then thanked the spirits and exited to find my driver and guide amazed to see that I did not burst in to flames.

We then walked back to the car as I thanked my driver for taking me here. I convinced him that I did not get cursed and he let me back in the car.





Back at camp we had lunch that was warm and brown as we waited for a local horseman. He would be bringing horses for us to ride back to his house where we would visit with his family.

While the horses looked quite nice I was a bit unsure about the saddle. But hey, this is Mongolia style and I could not wait to give it a try.

The horsemen was nice enough to bring his kid's bicycle helmet for safety. However, after 30 seconds on a galloping horse I was wishing he brought a protective cup instead.

About an hour later we arrived at his house and my boys were glad that we would be taking the car back to camp.

It was a cozy house complete with satellite TV.

They also had a kid who was fascinated by me and somewhat elusive to get a picture of.

They then started up the stove so they could serve their guest some milk tea. Oh goodie! Let's see how far I can push my stomach before it has had enough.

While the fire got going she went outside to get the milk. This would be the freshest milk tea I would have on this trip.

They keep the mother and child separate until it is milking time. They then let the kid feed for a while to get things started.



I have not seen action like this since the end of a massage I once had in Thailand. Hey, I wonder if she gives massages?

With the milk in hand we went back to add it to the tea.

Oh boy, not much longer now.

And after a little filtering it was time to choke down another cup of milk tea. I can actually still taste it as I write this.

We visited for a while through my guide. I would find out that they also raced their horses. Oh and that they got 60 channels on their TV, some in Russian and some in Mongolian. It was again so wonderful to have and share this experience. I thanked them and was looking forward to my preferred tea once I got back at camp. And as it was the only cold thing available I knew the perfect place to hold it.

This was as far north as I would get and tomorrow I would begin the long journey to the Gobi making various stops along the way. After using my head to adjust the doorway of the Ger I crawled into bed to drift off to sleep.