The sudden, massive lurch startled me into immediate action. Simultaneously, I grabbed the little Viking with one hand while grasping the nearest object with the other. A million thoughts flooded my brain as I struggled to regain my equilibrium. This was an entirely different feeling than I was used to. As the horizon seemed to shift and tremble, I felt as if I would fall at any moment.

A second lurch caused me to hold on to my anchors even tighter. The little Viking was equally startled and grasped me tighter, seeking reassurance that the world was indeed not tilting, trembling, or shaking as it seemed to be.

Then a third massive lurch shook us.

And a fourth.

My balance was upset and I had little to grasp to assist in regaining it. The lurching and shifting seemed to go on for hours, although I know it only lasted a few minutes. Strangely , the shifting and shaking seemed to normalize and I was lulled into a relaxed state, just trying to ride out the lurching and jiggling.

Just before the earth settled into normalcy, we endured four more lurches that again caused me and the Viking to grasp each other for reassurance.

Once we had regained out footing on solid ground the reality of what had just transpired began to settle in.

We survived!

 

And more surprisingly, it was FUN!

 

If you’ve never had the chance to ride a Bactrian camel, it should definitely be on your list. This was one of our major objectives when we decided to go the Mongolia. Additionally, this activity highlights one 0f the dilemmas we suffer whenever we depart for another adventure. Where do you draw the line between being a tourist and a traveler?

This may seem a strange distinction to make for someone off on an adventure, and sometimes the lines are blurred, however the distinction is significant.

A tourist is exactly what you are picturing. The bad short and Hawaiian shirt being shuffled from one cheesy photo op to the next so they can tick the box and brag to all their friends back home that they’ve seen every major site around the world. I know people who are just that sort and there is a place for them in this world. Just not usually on my trip…

On the other extreme, you have the traveler who is so self-righteous that they would never be seen in a typical ‘tourist’ locale since the mere presence of other non-locals might somehow defile their ‘authentic’ cultural experience. Fortunately for all, there is room along this travel spectrum for everyone and your place is never fixed.

So in other words, embrace the occasional tourist trap experience! Cheesy thought it may be, enjoy that camel ride! When’s the next time you’ll get the chance?

Pose holding a hunting eagle in front of a giant statue of Chingis Khan? Naturally!

Have your spouse recreate the eagle photo is the most ridiculous way while climbing up to a giant statue. Why not!

Travelling is about experiencing as many aspects of a country or culture as you are willing and able and eating at a local lunch spot without a bit of English in the place is just as valuable as stoping at the tourist trap created (in however cheesy a way) to celebrate the local heritage. We should never judge how another person explores the world as long as their hearts and minds are 0pen to adventure and they are respectful of the cultures and peoples around them.

Stay tuned for more wandering as the summer travel season is about to begin!

Wander on!