Mongol Derby - Medic's Blog - 1st August 2011
Mon 1st Aug – Dinosaurs, the black market and the welcome meal. Today was a relatively free day to explore UB. I went to look round a monastery and then to the Natural History museum to see the 
dinosaurs. It seems a lot of dinosaur skeletons have been discovered in the surrounding countryside, and it was interesting to see some of the various wildlife now found living in the steppe – ranging from hares to bears and moths to marmots. In the afternoon, Pete, Catherine and I went to the famous Black Market to look around and buy souvenirs – it felt odd to buy a warm camel wool scarf on such a hot day but I think the nights will be chilly. We had the official welcome dinner tonight with most of the 23 riders. They are a hugely varied bunch from all over the world, including students, a politician, two TV presenters and a few professional horse riders.