Heather Carson is a Prince George born-and-raised, recent UNBC grad. She is currently travelling through Mongolia, South East Asia, and Australia. Her travel timeline is indefinite and her plans are undetermined. She is currently writing about her travels at www.gingernomads.com.
This time last year, I was starting my final year at UNBC. I didn't want to look for a "grown-up" job, or go to grad school; in my mind, that meant it was time to travel.
Ever since my first trip to Europe at 15, the itch to travel wasn't so much a bug as a plague. But I was ready to see other parts of the world. People didn't understand my decision, but I needed that change, and that challenge.
I hoped that work placement would help me to decide on a future career and that Mongolia would be interesting in the meantime.
Upon arrival in the capital Ulaanbaatar, things were obviously different. Cows are often everywhere, and the traffic is intense. Two lanes can easily become four and traffic laws are really just recommendations.
Above all else, that was my first observation of Mongolia. The second observation might be the remnants of Communism. Some of the buildings still have Communist names, such as the State Department Store and the Central Cultural Palace.
My apartment building is built in a stunningly Russian fashion. The colours are faded and the stairs aren't square. But the most amazing Communist artefact is the Zaisan Memorial. It commemorates the cooperation between the Russians and the Mongolians during the Second World war, and is so harsh in design and so patriotic that it can't be mistaken.
My experience at the Zaisan memorial is one of my first and best Mongolian memories. The memorial is built on a hill in the outskirts of the city, providing some great views. After climbing to the top, I had my first experience with the Mongolian people's fascination with my red hair.
I turned around at one point to discover a small girl standing behind me while her mom took a picture of her and the back of my head.
At Zaisan there were also a group of Mongolian men walking their dog up the hill and we soon discovered the full extent of Mongolian hospitality. One of the men pulled out a bottle of Chinggis (Mongolian) vodka along with a little bowl. it is rude in Mongolia not to accept when someone offers you food or drink, so you can guess the outcome. This is common here.
People share whatever they have, whether it is food, drink, car oil, anything. If you are in need, and they can spare, they will.
My time in Mongolia is now drawing to a close. My hope that I would get some direction in my career didn't happen. But I love travelling in Mongolia. It is interesting and beautiful, and offers everything you could hope for in a travel destination.
