sleep in a Yurt

Uzbekistan, in the desert outside of Bukhara. It was wonderful! We even road camels that weekend! The picture is of the yurts we stayed in.

About ten years ago I read about yurts in Mother Earth News. I started fantasizing about putting one up in the woods somewhere. I haven’t come any closer to realizing this, but I’d love to stay in one. Then I could find out if yurt living could work for me. If nothing else it would be fun.

This is what my friends and I fondly called Yurtville. I spent one night in a yurt a couple of years ago, when I vacationed in Inner Mongolia over China’s National Day holiday, in early October.

Early October, where I come from, can be a bit chilly, but in Inner Mongolia it is FUH-REEZING, especially if you’re staying in the grasslands. The kind of cold where you sleep with seven people in a yurt, all packed together like sardines, while wearing three layers of clothing.

In the evening, before going to sleep, we had “traditional entertainment” that turned into sort of a rave. There was fireworks, techno music, and lots of beer. It was amazing.

In the morning they served a whole lamb for breakfast, and I thought I would throw up, and then they served us this customary alcohol, and I REALLY thought I would throw up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurt

This will tell you a little about Yurts.
Many camp sites offer them as an alternative to a tent.
I always thought it looked fun.