The Mini-Monks of Erdenezuu Monastery

Before heading out on another long drive we would first be stopping at the Erdenezuu Monastery. It was Mongolia's first Buddhist monastery established in the late 16th century. It once housed 62 temples and over 1000 monks within its 400 by 400 meters long walls. Today, only a single active temple remains with about 40 monks. A stop in the parking lot would suggest this place might be a little touristy.

But I wanted to head inside anyway.





I quickly had my first monk sighting who was also a bit elusive to photograph.

While there is only one active temple there are three others on the grounds that can be visited.

While we waited for the monks to wake up we checked out the dormant temples.





I was looking at some of the tapestries thinking that they must have used some kind of psychedelic plant medicine as the source for these and their history.





They had a happy version of Buddha.

As well as a version of Buddha right after he ate a bad piece of white fish.

Every square inch of this place was covered in some kind of paint, telling some kind of story. The story was through the eyes of the story's creator, and thus open to interruption. But that's really true of all stories.







A few more demon Gods from other energetic realms. Not the first time we have met.



After checking out the temples we went outside to check out the grounds.

Prayer wheels in need of a spin.



An incense burner for jasmine or perhaps sage.

I then had a second monk sighting.

Looks like there might also be a naked monk around here someplace as well. Or maybe it is laundry day.

We then heard the sounds of horns signaling that the morning chanting was about to begin. This was the job of the mini-monks.





And sure enough they started to gather in numbers. They would chant for the next two to three hours. However, no photographs or recordings of any kind were allowed inside.

I felt I had absorbed as much of the experience as I would within 15 minutes so we headed out. Making one last stop to take a picture of the entire compound, which would have been much better without the power lines in the way.

We then began the next leg of the journey to the south with another long drive. Looks a lot like yesterday's drive.



We would finally arrive at Ursa Major Ger Camp where I would be staying for the next two days and this was truly in the middle of nowhere, which also means no electricity and no running water. They did however have a bar and a new local beer.



My Ger.

My bed and dining area.

My lights.

My water reservoir and basin.

My heater and small door going outside. I had formed a pretty good calluses on my forehead and these were bothering my less and less with each passing day.

My beer.

Me. I was loving this place, you really felt like a true nomad in the middle of nowhere. All you had to do was look around and you felt in complete isolation. In fact on my whole trip, with the exception of Ulaanbaatar, I would not have a cell signal or any wi-fi. I was completely disconnected and it was wonderful to break free of the chains of the internet and cell phones. It was a kind of cleansing, and we are all much overdue for this.

It was very windy in Mongolia. I now understood that their Ger(s) are round in order to let the wind blow around it instead of against it, pretty cleaver physics. However, for a brief period of time the winds died down enough for me to fly my drone. This would be my only opportunity for flight as conditions would not be favorable again.











After a short flight I walked down to the local horse herder.





A sheep herder also passed by.

I then had to use the facilities which were a bit ripe for my taste, but hey nature was calling and it was all part of the adventure.

After some more boiled meat for dinner I headed back to go to sleep. If ever I was going to be abducted by aliens I figured this would be the place.

I blew out the candles and got an amazing sleep. It was so wonderful to be out here away from everything, my mind was relaxed and clear, free from the random noise that we all put up with every day. I struggled to understand why I do it when it is so easy to let go of.