Books:
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Cover via Amazon Walking the Gobi: 1,600 Mile-trek Across a Desert of Hope and Despair by Helen Thayer (2007) – Helen and her husband decide to walk across the Gobi Desert with two camels: Tom and Jerry. Along the way the encounter herding families in the middle of nowhere, border patrols, thirst, and great beauty.
- Ghengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford – The definitive history of Mongolia and Chinggiss Khan.
- The Horse Boy by Rupert Isaacson – After his son is diagnosed with Autism Rupert Isaacson decides to take his family on a journey to Mongolia to find a shaman who just may help his son Rowan. Also a film.
- Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale – Young adult novel loosely based on Mongolia. A princess and her maid are locked in a tower by a king for refusing to marry the man her father chose. The story is written in diary format from the maid’s perspective. Great for readers young and old.
Movies:
- “Mongol” (2007) – The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world including Russia in 1206.
- “The Horse Boy” (2009) – Chronicles the journey of the Isaacson family as they travel through Mongolia in search of a mysterious shaman who they believe can heal their autistic son. This film delves into the strange world of autism, horses, shamanism, and Mongolia while telling the story of a family that will go to the end of the earth to find a way into their son’s life. Official Website
- “Babies” (2010) – Documentary that looks at one year in the life of four babies from around the world, from Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo.
Websites:
- US Peace Corps’ Mongolia
- Mongolia’s government website
- Expatistan – Cost of living calculator; compare prices around the globe.
A Broad's View 
Hi there,
Glad I came across your blog, you seem to be living an interesting life (not in the classically bad Chinese proverbial way). I’ll be in Murun at the end of the month, headed to Lake Khuvsgul, and I’m trying to decide whether to make it in time for Nadaam in Murun. I’d like to go, but I’d have to completely rearrange things to get there for the last day. If it’s wonderful, I’ll do it, but if it’s just kind of nice, I’d probably choose to relax a bit. Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Hey Erik, Naadam is great all over the country. Each town and province has their own traditions and customs, so each Naadam is a little different. I wouldn’t say that Murun’s Naadam celebration is any better than another town’s celebration. I would say that Naadam is not to be missed, but which Naadam you choose is not as critical.