I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE RAILROAD ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY

 We decided to take the night train to Erdenet.  The doctor was meeting with another doctor and I was involved with my first RS  sewing project.  Going by car is an uncomfortable journey of 6-7 hrs over rough roads that leave you feeling like a marble in a jar of marbles that has just tipped over onto the floor and rolled to the stairs and tumbled down to the bottom.  Is that graphic enough?  So the train sounded like a fun alternative.  Here we are at the station in UB ready to board the long green line.
 

 We bought tickets for a private car with 4 bunks.  Do you remember the bunks at stake girls camp?  Well, those were roomy.  We had a piece of plywood with a couple inches of padding and about 24 inches wide.  I've become wider than 24 inches since girls camp.  Osorjamaa, our translator came with us.  Does the doctor look comfy?

 Close quarters for three let alone a fourth person.  Let the party begin.
 

 Here we are at the beginning of our train adventure looking forward to a nice ride hearing the sound of clickity, clackity lulling us to sleep.  We had been given clean sheets and a blanket and pillow to use and we were pretty impressed.

 Its always movie night on the night train if you bring your own movie, but I forgot the popcorn.

 The long corridor is just like in the "Orient Express".  This is getting more fun by the minute except for one thing...the bathroom door is locked!  Dr. Lewis is in trouble.  There's not a pee can in sight and the windows are locked shut.  Tight spot for the doctor, but the "cat look" from Shrek works and the lady guarding the bathroom finally lets him in after assuring him with one look that she is in control and has decided to be merciful.  (His tears may have helped).

 After a rather long night, this is what we awoke to.  What a beautiful sight with the sun just coming up.

 The sun is creeping up the hills and the light is that special light that happens only at dusk and dawn.

 Up and ready to go, we look none the worse for our train adventure.  We will sleep well the next night.

 The sun is up and its a golden autumn day.

 This is the bathroom guard.  If she told you "no" you wouldn't argue with her.

Our train ride is past, the beautiful autumn day is ahead and we've just had another Mongolian adventure.  Toot, toot!