Guenter

[Guenter @guneterss]

This has probably been the worst idea of my life; or probably the best one...

[Guenter @guneterss]

Thank you God for allowing me to learn about new cultures. The answer is in Jesus. 🇲🇳 #53.

[Guenter @guneterss]

The history books speak of them as having had one of the most feared, bloodthirsty and barbaric empires of all time.

After visiting #MONGOLIA 🇲🇳; I am talking about the Mongol Empire.

A #Thread 🧵…

[Guenter @guneterss]

By the way, inside the world's largest equestrian statue (statue of a person on horseback), which is in Mongolia, they also have the world's largest boot.

[Guenter @guneterss]

As a curiosity of the empire, the Mongols did not even trust their own friends; they were afraid of being poisoned to death. So they each carried their own eating utensils.

To tame the camels, they stick this kind of claw through their noses.

[Guenter @guneterss]

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to live like this. Not because of the yurts, which are more than prepared for the freezing temperatures (-25 to -40), but because it is the animals, the livelihood of the families, that do not survive.

[Guenter @guneterss]

Anyway, winter in Mongolia 🇲🇳 is brutal. The city is covered in ice figures. To be experiencing it first hand is unbelievable.

I thank God; and I pray for this great nation. Thanks for reading.

Soon a #thread about the history of this country! God bless you! 🤙😁

[Guenter @guneterss]

Here is an illustrative picture of how nomads used to move in the past.

[Guenter @guneterss]

What doesn't stop for the freezing winter weather is the mighty "Trans-Siberian", the legendary train that runs from Beijing to Moscow. However, for obvious reasons, the routes and stops are not running normally today.

[Guenter @guneterss]

When I asked the frequency with which nomadic families move; I was told that they usually move every season of the year. While in summer they move up to 3 or 4 times to find better pastures.

Obviously there are families who simply live in the yurts and don't move them anymore.

[Guenter @guneterss]

#MONGOLIA 🇲🇳: Unfortunately, the country is experiencing one of its worst winters in decades. This is due to the "Dzud".

Last year, nearly 600,000 animals died; this winter, 59,000 animals have already died.

And I am here at first hand to tell the story.

A #Thread 🧵…

[Guenter @guneterss]

Nomadic families usually live in "yurts / gears". These are more than prepared for the winter. They are usually covered with several layers of sheep's wool. Some have electricity and heating; those that don't, have a fire in the centre.

[Guenter @guneterss]

Last winter about 600,000 animals (horses, cows, sheep and camels) died. In order to avoid this this winter, the collection of grass during the summer has been increased for this winter. So far 59,000 animals have died.

Sourfe: UNICEF report of 25 January 2024.