Quote Originally Posted by trickytiger View Post
4.) Also- I found that small travel-sized containers of sunscreen and lotion were great presents for the women I met- the sun and wind can be very harsh, and they don't often have the time or means to buy those kinds of things. The kids liked crayons and bandanas. It may seem burdensome or odd to carry extra weight around, especially if you are biking- but these are some of the most hospitable and friendly people on the planet and would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it- so some small tokens of goodwill go a very long way.
(I haven't been myself but I have been fascinated with Mongolia for a long time...)

Actually you have to bring things that you can give because you'll end up giving gifts anyway, and you'd probably rather not let go of more important stuff. And you should be accepting gifts, too. Carrier and Higgins ended up giving away their GPS like that! The families you will encounter will make somptuous (for them) gifts to you, Mongolians seem to be a very welcoming bunch.....

And remember to walk clockwise (or is it counter-clockwise?!) in the yurts....

I'd probably recommend reading at least one or two ethnographies of Mongolia... There are a few good and recent books in French so I'm sure you'll find many in English. Don't stick to the guidebooks.

Lucky you. It's a wonderful trip.