Disappearing gradually

Yesun-Erdene.B

Michal Eskayo

Final Draft

Disappearing Gradually

 For me, a good way of getting rest and reducing long- term stress is camping in the countryside. I have found that Americans don’t camp like Mongolians do. In Mongolia, I was able to go camping wherever I wanted. Camping in Mongolia usually means horseback riding, staying in a “Ger”, and consuming dairy products or eating fresh soup from slaughtered sheep. Camping is just one thing that has been lost in translation for since I came to the U.S, and it makes me so nostalgic for my old tradition. Since I am arrived in the U.S. the specific camping rituals of food, staying in the traditional house, and horseback riding have disappeared.

First of all, I am nostalgic for staying in a Ger when camping in my beautiful country Mongolia. Mongolians are nomadic people. We always have to be close to the environment and our soul is highly connected to it. People who want to go camping are free to go anywhere in Mongolia. They can go wherever they want, but there are few prohibited places. The main reason for my nostalgia is I want to stay outside of the city and stay in Mongolian Ger. That consists of a wooden frame and felt walls. It is so comfortable even in extreme weather and nomadic way of life. Ger is most suitable dwelling for Mongols, and it is easy to collapse and built. However, I can’t stay in a Ger in the U.S. even if I wanted to because there is no Ger to be found.

In addition, it is customary for Mongolians to ride horses when they go camping. I think riding horses is in my genes and it part of being Mongolian. Mongolia is also known as the land of the horse, and we have a reputation for being the best horseman on Earth. I think it is not possible to imagine Mongolian history without horses.  Mongolian children learn to ride when they are as young as three years old. I learned to ride when I was young too. That is why I love to ride horses while I am camping because it is easy to find them in the countryside. There are a many farmers in the countryside living, and people can borrow a horse from them. However, camping in the U.S. is not generally connected to horse. Because here is not much horses, and it is difficult to raise horses in urban areas.

Moreover, one of the huge parts of my camping nostalgia is the food. There are two different kinds of food, white foods and brown food. White foods are usually dairy products and this is the main food during the summer. Consumption of dairy product during the summer specifically, has a good significance of people’s health. Brown foods are usually meat and it is the main food source during the winter time. Sheep is the only domestic animal slaughtered, but horses are occasionally slaughtered for ceremonies. The Mongolians have a unique way of slaughtering their animals to get meat. The animal would be laid on its back and then the butcher would cut its chest open and rip open the aorta, which would cause deadly internal bleeding. Animals would be slaughtered in this fashion because it would keep all of the blood inside of the carcass. Because this is so common in my friends or family would buy a sheep and slaughter it by ourselves while I camp in Mongolia. It is obviously impossible to purchase a sheep and slaughter it in the United States because of the law and some prohibitions.

In conclusion, what has been lost in translation for me is that I wish I could go to camping and stay at traditional Ger which is located at beautiful land. Then I would consume some dairy products or fresh soup from slaughtered sheep. Unfortunately, here in the United States there are no Mongolian traditional Gers and no specific dairy products anywhere to be found. Even, it is not possible to buy a sheep and slaughter it on my own. If I did it here, people would think of me a butcher and I may be arrested. Also I could ride a horse, but it is so hard to find one, unless if you are rich. That is why I want to go back to my county quickly and camp in the countryside. It will help me reduce the stress that I have acquired since I arrived in the U.S. I need some long term relaxation.