Choices & Decisions

Planning always comes down to two things doesn't it?  Choices and decisions.

Today was spent making some fundamental choices and decisions about my accommodations while in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city.  There aren't a lot of choices when it comes to clean, safe and modern hotels for the international traveler.  I had narrowed my choices to three - Ramada CityCenter (which isn't in the city center at all), the Changgis Khan (closer but not CityCenter) or the Blue Sky Tower (truly in the center).

While Mongolia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world at 25% GDP growth per year, the infrastructure and hospitality industries are trying to catch up.  The international traveler really operates on a minimum amount of knowledge when it comes to balancing acceptable standards with the "local" experience.

Three things are critically important to me if I'm going into a foreign country blind - safety, cleanliness and wi-fi.  If this were a different situation, say one in which I were working as an election monitor or just backpacking across the countryside, then I would take a different approach. However, spending two weeks in one location and meeting with multiple government and NGO officials, I really want to feel and look my best.

I narrowed my choices to three hotels that cater to the international business clientele.  Finally, I decided to stay at the Ramada.  It's a fairly new hotel and has the amenities that I need, plus breakfast is included!   I'm satisfied with that decision.  My wife is very happy because we can Skype easily and being able to communicate with her is very important.  The fact that I'll be almost 8,000 miles away from home is a challenge for her, too.  She carries the burden of a busy work schedule and taking care of everything else.  She's been a trooper even though she would rather that I be here in Kentucky with her.



http://www.ramada.com/hotels/mongolia/ulaanbaatar/ramada-ulaanbaatar-citycenter/hotel-overview

September 14th is fast approaching and much remains to be done.  Hopefully, the itinerary will be finalized this week.  I have a conference call with the US State Department liaison and someone from the Mongolian desk to review current issues and opportunities for the US.  I certainly don't want to create an international incident!

The flight is booked.  Twenty-seven hours total travel time.  Twenty-three hours on airplanes.  At least I have a little time in Incheon, Korea to get my bearings before the final flight to Ulaanbaatar, but it's going to be a long flight.  I'll also experience crossing the Intenational Dateline for the first time.  That should be fun!

Yes, I'm finally getting excited and a little antsy about the trip.  I know it'll be a great adventure, and I'm looking forward to experiencing a whole new world.  Stay tuned!

Off to Mongolia - Let the Adventure Begin!

"Would you like to go to Mongolia?" asked Dr. Jennings.  "Uh...of course," I replied.  And that is truly how my journey to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia began.

My name is Tad.  I live in Lexington, Kentucky with Jackie (my wife) and Spicy Belle (our chocolate lab retriever).  My work and passion are one and the same.  I work with Kentucky's cities to improve the quality of life for the citizens of our Commonwealth.  One way to help our own cities is to visit other places, talk with people who have a different perspective and find practical solutions that are working in other places.  Inspired education through shared experiences.

Would you like to go to Mongolia with me?  Well, jump on board, and we'll go together.  That, in a nutshell, is the purpose of my blog.  I want to chronicle my experience from beginning to end.  Even though I'm going alone, I'd sure like to take a bunch of friends along for the ride.  I'm sure this is going to be an adventure like none other that I've experienced.

"Why Mongolia?" you ask.  The University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy established a partnership with the U.S. Department of State to participate in the Legislative Fellows program.  The Fellows program is  a cultural exchange program that brings up and coming foreign leaders to the United States to experience life in the United States for a few weeks.  In exchange, the host organization nominates a representative to travel to the visitor's home country.  During the spring of 2012, my employer, the Kentucky League of Cities, agreed to host UK's first Mongolian Fellow. I was privileged to organize the agenda and share the mission of our organization with Khatanbold Oidov, our visitor from Mongolia.  

At the conclusion of his visit, Dr. Ed Jennings and Dr. Doo-Oak Kim of the Martin School asked if I would like to be nominated as UK's exchange visitor to Mongolia.  Fortunately, I was able to take some time off from KLC in order to go.  I feel excited, honored and humbled to have the opportunity.  

Was visiting Mongolia on my bucket list? Honestly, no. Should it have been? Maybe!  Those who have visited - and yes, I actually know folks who have been there - Mongolia is not to be missed.  It's one of the last great frontiers and the second most sparsely populated country on the planet (after Greenland).  It's called "Land of the Blue Sky." As a University of Kentucky alumnus and sports fan, that suits me just fine because I bleed blue!

September 14, 2012 is the departure date.  So, hang on!  It's going to be a ride we'll never forget.