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Thursday, August 30, 2012

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.

Ramada Ulaanbaatar Citycenter in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

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!

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