Ulaanbaishint

After my plans for venturing east on the southern route were made redundant due to my break down and the forced waiting days in Ölgii, I just wanted to leave and continue my journey. But my new Russian visa did not allow me to enter before today. So yesterday late afternoon I finally made my way to the Mongolian Russian border.
I don't like border villages, they always seem to swarm with people who want to sell you something. In this village I was stopped by some people who wanted to charge me 10000 Tughrik for road tax, which I refused to pay. Crooks!
So I made my way into the hills and found the perfect spot for the night, far away from the road and the village. Or so I thought...
I had just finished to dig out all the documentation I need for the crossing and replenished my hidden currency supply from my secret compartment when a car came across the hill and over the paddock with Edelweiss. I know, you Bavarian alpinists will be very envious now! But Edelweiss are everywhere here. And Enzian as well. Ganze Wiesen voll!
Sorry, got a bit distracted!
So this car pulled up beside me, some uniformed border Patrol, and told me I cannot stay here, border area. My pleading could not soften their heart, so I had to pack up and leave. Towards Ölgii again. Oh no!
But just 2km down the road I spied some earth mound parallel to the road. The perfect spot beside the road, well hidden but inconspicuous enough as not to be immediately being identified as sleeping spot just in case.
When I arrived at the border at 7 o'clock there were already 7 trucks ahead of me. Border opening at 9.
First border control: those guys wanting the 10000 Tughriks from me yesterday were no crooks. As I spent my last of the mongolian money on fuel yesterday, I had to pay 5€. No change given. Still crooks!!!
Onwards to the next Mongolian border station.
Park the car, don't park where they want me to, some parking rearrangements follow until I am parked totally crooked, but that's where and how they want me, so be it.
In to the office building. First counter closed, second counter "Customs", that's where I queue. Waiting, then my turn. She studies paperwork and studies and studies, then she sends me to another counter way down the hall to get my little running slip, that I was issued at the 1. border control, stamped. That lady just puts a stamp on it. That's her job. Then back to the other counter, again queuing, she checks the stamp and is happy with it. Now outside to the car control. This always seems to be a quick procedure as Rex, tied up, shows himself from his fiercest side. Or is it the single, crazy, elderly lady impersonation?
Now only passport control and that's done with the Mongolian side.
On we go 10-20km down the bumpy road through noman's land. I ponder who the sheep grazing there belong to. Are they distributed to the customs people when they reach their KPIs? 1000 stamps one sheep? I will never know.
Ah, here comes the first Russian control. The officer had to finish this round of his computer game first I gather, as it takes a while until he comes to open the gate to check the papers.
Nice young guy, refreshingly not phased by Rexby's behaviour. He has a husky too, so that's a quick one as well.
Driving a few kms to the next border control. Another gate, another queue, some more waiting. The gate opens, we get ushered into the inner sanctum of Russian BC. Out of the car, and queuing for passport control. Once I passed the critical eye, back to the car and near panic gets hold of me. There are huge tables onto which every car owner has to display the complete contents of the vehicle. I imagined to unearth all my lose items from every drawer, wind grabbing my knickers and blowing them all the way back to Ölgii, towels draping themselves over fences and aerials.... I'll be here till midnight!!!
But then my magic formula, vicious dog plus mad woman does its trick again: a glimpse here, a poke there and then: " You, madam, move car !" And did madam move car!
But then i still needed to get my car import paperwork completed, 2x and after, what must have been a record time, 2 hours and 56mins i was through the customs. Talked to people yesterday it took them 7 hours and had to unload everything from their car.
Good boy Rexelby!!!Read more