Mongolia is a country that lets people live like billionaires
In 2018, my ex-boyfriend offered to go on a 6-days horseback trip to explore the true wilderness of Hovsgol province, the northernmost part of Mongolia, with his friends. Riding horses all day long, spending the night in a tent at temperatures below zero, and living without basic luxuriousness was quite challenging for me. Even I was born and raised in Mongolia, I felt like an outsider at that time, the girl — who is too modern and has lived a life that is not genuinely nomadic. I was extremely nervous, but I felt that I could bear this adventure somewhere deep in my heart.
On the very first day, I failed. I fell off the horse. Luckily, I did not get an injury, but it scared me to death. My boyfriend and his friends encouraged me as I refused to continue the trip and thought about giving up. Then the wrangler, who I barely have known, told me that “Odna, you proved that you are a Mongolian. Mongolians never got a serious injury when they fell from a horse. You never know how foreigners fell and got a serious injury. Get up, put your ass on the saddle. I will hold your bridle for the rest of the trip, but the most important thing is not to think of falling again. The horse feels a sense of fear”.
I thought the wrangler was poorer than me, but he was way happier, more thoughtful, and kind-hearted than me. His words sound like a life lesson for me. Typically, humans fail at something because of a fear of failure, lack of self-confidence, greed, and aspired to be perfect. I finished my whole trip successfully, and the reward was beyond words. I have had the most authentic experience of my life as I have seen the purest rives, breathed the freshest air, and witnessed the brightest night sky. Most importantly, after that trip, I realized that one cannot go far or succeed without support from others. The interdependence between humans is essential.
Two months later that trip, I came to Budapest pursuing a higher degree. It was the first time I experienced a self-sufficient life, living far from my family. Before I came to Europe, I had decent work, and I lived in a fine apartment in the city center with my parents. Once a year, I used to travel abroad during my vacation. Once a month, I used to go on a trip to the countryside with my friends. Every Friday, I used to go out and dance till dawn. However, I was never satisfied with my life. I have always wanted more. I was desperate to study abroad because it felt like Mongolia was never enough for me.
At present, I have spent two years of my life abroad. I thought I was too behind the world trend, but it was not valid. I have made many international friends through music, a sense of style, and an opinion. I have traveled to the most beautiful destinations in Europe, but I never get satisfied as I went on a horseback trip to Hovsgol. Now I feel like a completely different person compared to 26 years old me. I understand that people are the same regardless of being from a developed or developing country. The only differentiation, value, and pride of humans is the culture and tradition of their home country. After having friends from Syria, Iran, and Chechen, I recognized my value. The value of having a country identify oneself, history, and tradition. Mongolia is a country that lets people live like billionaires of Western countries. I thought Mongolia was poor, but I realized that it is the most authentic and most prosperous country that allows its inhabitants to live in beautiful nature, eating the most quality food.
My parents were married in their early twenties, and my mother gave birth to me when she was only 20 years old. She could not attend university, struggling to raise my younger sister and me. Since he graduated from high school, my father has worked to provide for us. They had nothing except love and faith. They sacrificed everything for us. They taught me the most valuable life lesson: the reward of hard work and the power of honesty.
Now I desire to save and spread the unique tradition of Mongolia that is disappearing day by day as a result of modernization and globalization. A Mongolian proverb says that no matter how the person gets lost, they end up happily within their roots. I found my happy place and want to help other Mongolians and the world recognize this…
