Unfortunately, Mongolians are big vodka drinkers as well, and this very drunk herder was on his way home from selling cashmere and meat in the city. He had been successful in his business and celebrating, was trying to teach me the custom of taking the traditional three shots of vodka that new acquaintances must drink. His shots were too big and I only wanted to taste it instead of help him finish the bottle. That's when Chingis' blood came into the conversation. I hope you're not surprised when I tell you I drank the three shots.
Herders are tough people.
The don't wear moon boots. Maybe if I had been born here and lived in a ger all my life I would be tough too. But I wasn't, and I'm not. I can trace no lineage to the world's most powerful ruler that ever was, but I am blessed. I am blessed with the gift of a Peace Corps Mongolia standard issue sleeping bag rated to 30 below.