Sand Dunes in the Gobi Desert (aka Circus in the Gobi Desert)

On our trip we also went to the Resonant Sand Gorge Dunes. I was really excited about this because it is in the Gobi Desert, which doesn't really mean much but I guess just sounds very exotic to me. I love the stark beauty of the desert, so I was very eager to go to some dunes! It was definitely not what I thought it was going to be. In the US, we try to preserve our natural wonders and keep them pristine and beautiful. In China, they seem to turn them into circus arenas. We arrived at the sand dunes and took a chair lift to get up them, and they were covered with people. You could get your picture taken in Mongolian outfits, you coul take a ride on a giant truck that seated about 20 people, you could do archery, you could sled down the hill, you could ride camels in a small circle, you could drive a little go-kart in a circle, or you could get in a giant plastiv bubble and be pushed in a circle. I guess this is just really not my style. I was thinking longingly of Death Valley, which can be crowded sometimes, but would never reach that sort of level of carnival type atmosphere. I admit, I was thinking, "Wow, I travel all around the world, and the most beautiful, perfect place is the United States, particularly California." Ok, ok, not very much of a culturally aware, open minded attitude, I am entitled to my own thoughts, right? My thoughts of Death Valley also led me to thinking of my trip to Montana this summer and how phenomenally, mind blowingly, awe inspiringly gorgeous that was, and how in general the US is gorgeous and wonderful and how all my friends and family back home and perfect and how I love and miss them. I vowed to myself that eventually I will go back and live where I have roots and my children can feel connected to their home. I don't think Matt has this strong of a need to feel connected and feel roots, but I do. I love traveling and living abroad, but I also love my home.

All this being said, I have to admit, sliding down the sand dunes was really fun.

Another note about the sand dunes...the day before we were there, a boy from our school brok his hip while at the sand dunes. I am not sure how it happened, but the break was severe enough that he has to stay in the hospital for three months in Batou City. If you could see Batou City, you would know why this is such a bummer. I can't even imagine staying there for three months in the hosipital bed. No English books, magazines, TV, no friends or family. He was from New Zealand. If he is like most people at my school, he is probably young. I can only hope that his family came up immediately to see him, that he has health insurance and that he has friends to visit him. I didn't know him, only heard it from a teacher at our school that was on our tour with us. It disturbed me greatly! I don't even know his name but I keep thinking about him and how I hope he is ok.


"Sledding" on the Sand Dunes 


Audrey sliding down the dune