Goat’s milk vodka

To take account of the impassible roads we have changed the order in which we visit families, so today it’s the time to visit our favourite sheep- and goatherd. Mr Amaraa and his family.
En route, we do a short trek through the flaming cliffs where the 1st discoveries of dinosaur eggs were ever made. Last time we were here, there was a replica of the find. This time, there was a rather odd blue sculpture that looked nothing like the raptor and its eggs. It's not clear what is happening here.
Then, after lunch, we headed off for Mr Amaraa, and en route, we climbed a hill for 20 minutes to see ancient rock carvings. Considering that they are outside and uncovered, they are in remarkably good condition. The camels, deer, goats, carts, and humans are all impossible to mistake.
Another hour through the dessert and we arrive at our destination. We are greeted with the usual hospitality of goats milk tea, and various biscuits, cheeses, and snacks. This time, it's easier to avoid the rather awful lumps of cheese. From there it’s a short jump to all the children “helping” Mrs Amaraa and her daughter to prepare beef dumplings for dinner. Although the kids' handiwork is not as elegant as the locals, all the dumplings taste the same.
Then out comes the vodka, and not just any vodka, its homemade goats milk vodka. An amount equivalent to 3 shots is poured for me and me alone. So there is no escaping. I try it and it's strangely not too strong, so maybe it's only been once through the still? The taste? Well, imagine drinking vodka and chewing on old mutton at the same time. To cover up, as it turns out temporarily, I offer a beer to our hosts and driver and take one myself. Unsurprisingly, after Flo tastes the vodka, she takes a beer, too. Naively hoping that only one vodka would be offered turned out to be just that, supremely naive. Oh well, we survive with lots of laughs and the beer to rinse out the taste. Oscar was and is a favourite of Mr Amaraa, and he takes up his offer to taste the vodka (just a tiny sip). That is enough to have Oscar contorts his face to make it clear that he is not a fan. There are lots more laughs. The other kids try it too, with the same result.
After all the kids and Flo have gone to bed, (turns out she was not going to bed, but she missed the nightcap), the other adults move to the kitchen where a real, normal bottle of vodka is opened. The driver gets into bed as he sleeps in the kitchen on the floor. It's good for him, as 4-6 more shots would have been dangerous the next day.
I eventually wander back to our yurt and marvel in the total darkness at the clear sky flooded with stars and the prominent milky way. It's not a scene that many drunk people can experience.Read more