When we told people we were going to Inner Mongolia, most responded by asking if we were staying in tents out in the grassland. We also were told that we would probably be fed lots more meat. It seemed very hunter-gatherer tribal.
Turns out, there’s basically only one city in the whole province of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot.
And, it turns out it’s not tribal or hunter-gatherer style at all. It’s just another busy city in China with tall buildings and neon lights. The fact that we are staying on the executive level of a 4-star hotel makes us feel right as home, too. I mean, a box of milk, a yellow robe, and slippers…just like home.
We were welcomed to the city with a big banquet and a cheesy performance of Mongolian culture. I say cheesy because of the setting and the fact that our director, Jiamin, said that it was somewhat unimpressive. We just loved it because we had never seen anything like that. Horse-fiddles and throat singing…
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